Silver liners for McLeod after debut

by Justin Falconer at Royal Portrush

Jake McLeod on day one of the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

There are not much harder tests in golf than Royal Portrush on a day dominated by heavy rain and wind, let alone when you make your first big championship start.

That was the job that Jake McLeod entrusted to the 148th Open Championship on Thursday and after a 5-over 76 debut, the Queenslander made the rank.

McLeod will complete the day for great champions and pre-tournament fantasies Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott and the level with Phil Mickelson.

He will do early work tomorrow morning when he gets another crack at Royal Portrush, but more friendly conditions are expected, giving McLeod the chance to book himself on Saturday morning.

"I didn't play as well as I wanted. It was a bit hit and miss really, more miss than hit," McLeod said.

"It was not easy, the rain came and went and the wind was up. You just had to knive away.

"Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better and we can be more aggressive."

The highlight of the day came with McLeod & # 39; s first birdie at the 236-yard par-3 16th known as & # 39; Calamity & # 39 ;, a one-shot hole in name only.

As for his first act in the golf championship, McLeod was surprisingly quiet on the first tee despite being surrounded by the Royal Portrush galleries.

"I was a lot better than I thought I would be, to be honest. I thought the heart would race," McLeod said.

"I was absolutely nervous but I hit a good one. I just took the 4-iron out and knocked it down there!"

McLeod & # 39; s second round starts at 7:19 PM local time (4:19 AM AEST).