Australian golfers struggled through the front nine on a miserable first day of the British Open at Royal Birkdale today.
Craig Parry, who hit the first ball of the tournament when he teed off in the earliest group alongside American Lucas Glover and England's Simon Dyson, was at three-over 37 at the halfway point of his opening round on the par-70 links course near Liverpool.
Parry bogeyed the par-four second, fifth and sixth holes.
Compatriot Peter Fowler had a shocking start and was seven-over through the first nine holes.
Steady drizzle that had fallen during the early hours of the morning abated briefly while the starters took to the course with a healthy crowd looking on at 6.30am local time (1530 AEST), but the rain became heavier a short time later.
Combined with cold temperatures and a strong breeze, the conditions were challenging.
American veteran Tom Watson and in-form Englishman Oliver Wilson defied the weather to head a group of six players at even par.
Watson birdied the par-four first, but bogeyed the next hole, while a birdie on the par-three fourth had Wilson level with him after the pair had played five holes each.
Australia's Aaron Baddeley was among a group of five players one shot off the pace after he had played five holes, while compatriot Brendan Jones was at three over through the front nine.
World No.3 Geoff Ogilvy was two-over-par after five holes.
