Amateur champion Christo Lamprecht outscored the professionals on the outward nine of his Open debut as he took an early lead on the first day.
The 6ft 8in South African, who qualified by winning the 128th Amateur Championship at Hillside just up the coast in Southport a month ago, reeled off three birdies in four holes from the third at Royal Liverpool to turn in a three-under 32.
That saw the 22-year-old overtake Matthew Jordan, a member at the Hoylake links, who had enjoyed a dream start having been given the honour of hitting the first shot at 6.35am.
An early birdie for The Amateur Champion, Christo Lamprecht. pic.twitter.com/0pehzT44lg — The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2023 Following a nervy opening hole, where he converted a 14-foot putt to save par after finding a greenside bunker, the 27-year-old DP World Tour pro – who has been a member at Royal Liverpool since the age of seven – birdied the next from 18 feet and was off and running in front of a supportive crowd which included family, friends and fellow members.