The Open Championship: Americans on the charge

American trio Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas sounded early statements of intent at The Open on Thursday.

Sunny weather and relatively low winds greeted the players teeing off for the opening round of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon.

After veteran Scot Colin Montgomerie, who finished with an even-par 71, had started proceedings, it was the Americans who made their mark.

The last six editions of golf's oldest major played at Troon have been won by men from the States, with the opening five hours of play hinting that theme may continue.

Watson was five under through six, the two-time Masters winner soon finding his rhythm as he drove past the pin on the 377-yard third hole.

Reed and Open debutant Thomas also clocked the same score over 12 and 13 holes respectively.

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, two of the pre-tournament favourites, got to two under ahead of the turn, with Jason Day only one shot back.

However, the scoreboard shows the back nine is playing much tougher, with the notoriously tricky 11th hole a particular pitfall.

David Duval and Steven Bowditch took nine apiece at the par-four Railway Hole, with a host of other players taking double bogeys or worse.

Defending champion Zach Johnson goes out 1415BST.