Day of misery for Birkdale starter Parry
SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Australia's Craig Parry had little to smile about after battling to a seven-over-par 77 in the opening round of the British Open on Thursday.
After hitting the first shot of the championship at 0630 local time (0530 GMT), Parry piled up eight bogeys and a lone birdie in atrocious weather at Royal Birkdale.
"Bloody miserable," the 42-year-old told reporters after contending with driving rain and gusts of more than 50-kph (30-mph). "It was an honor to hit the first tee shot but after that it got really hard.
"It was just really, really tough out there. Sixteen of the holes were into the wind and my three-wood was going about 180 yards into the wind. You could probably putt it further than that."
Parry, a native of Sunshine, Victoria, is making his 17th appearance at the British Open and rated Thursday's conditions among the most difficult he had experienced.
"We just had a miserable time out there and hopefully it doesn't keep blowing like we've had so far," the double PGA Tour winner said.
"It's the worst opening day I can remember but I can remember worse days," he said. "You've just got to grin and bear it and do your best."
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
