TROON, Scotland — On a day when the unpredictable wind and the firm conditions of Royal Troon Golf Club brought many of the world’s best golfers to their knees, a lesser known qualifier from England grabbed the first-round lead in the 152nd Open Championship on Thursday.
Daniel Brown, who had missed the cut or withdrawn in seven of his past eight starts on the DP World Tour, carded birdies on two of his last three holes to post a 6-under 65. He has a one-stroke lead over Ireland’s Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open Championship winner, and three strokes over two-time major champion Justin Thomas.