The 37-year-old was hoping to move in contention after a slow start on Thursday.

After the first round of the Open Championship, an unlikely leader emerges while other favorites struggle.

There were no “I’m so bad at golf” exclamations from Rory McIlroy this time. The puzzled looks, shakes of the head and sagging shoulders said it all.

A closer look at the 37-year-old’s Friday action at Royal Birkdale.

The 37-year-old was hoping to move in contention after a slow start on Thursday.

The 37-year-old was hoping to move in contention after a slow start on Thursday.