Fifteen years after conquering Old Course, John Daly off to another rousing British Open start

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Daly off to rousing start at British Open

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Fifteen years after his stunning win at the Old Course, John Daly was off to another rousing start at the British Open.

That year, Daly managed to put aside the problems that have marred his career — everything from too much alcohol to too much money squandered — and captured his second major championship, beating Costantino Rocca in a playoff with a mop of blond hair that was much longer than it is now.

“It’s a golf course, I don’t know, I just love it. I don’t know why,” said Daly, who was tied for the clubhouse lead with Scotland’s Andrew Coltart. “It suits my game. Just a special, special place.”

But that score wasn’t likely to hold up on a surprisingly warm day with little wind off St. Andrews Bay and only a sprinkling of rain. A number of players stripped off their jackets and played in short sleeves.

Twenty-one-year-old Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland drove the green at No. 9 and rolled in an eagle putt, then ripped off a string of birdies on the homeward nine that sent his score plunging to 8 under through 16 holes. He had a shot at the lowest score in major championship history, 63.

Tiger Woods wasted no time getting on the leaderboard. The world’s top-ranked player, still seeking his first win since a sex scandal gave his reputation a beating, was 5 under with five holes still to play.

Woods is seeking his fourth Open title and 15th major championship, which would leave him only three shy of Jack Nicklaus’ career record. And, of course, Woods won the last two British championships played at St. Andrews, romping to dominating wins in 2000 and 2005.