The British Open 2010: McIlroy Ties Record, Grabs Early Lead

Rory McIlroy, one of the youngest players in the field at 21, conquered a defenseless Old Course at St. Andrews on Thursday with a scorching 9-under 63, tying him for the lowest score in a major and with it the opening-day lead at the British Open.

With the weather uncannily calm at the world’s oldest golf championship, McIlroy hit consecutive birdies starting on the ninth hole en route to a two-shot lead going into the second round. The youngster from Northern Ireland is followed by Louis Oosthuizen at 7-under, with the big names like Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, and a resurgent John Daly not far behind.

Woods put himself in a good position to win at St. Andrews for the third time with a relatively trouble-free 67. He is tied with Westwood, Y.E. Yang, and six others at 5-under. Daly, who hogged the spotlight with his bright-colored outfit, showed he still has the game to match his personality, firing a 66 for a tie for third to seventh places.

Defending champion Stewart Cink is seven strokes behind after a 70, while world no.2 Phil Mickelson failed to get going, and had to settle for a 1-over 73.