Adam Scott leads Australians at Open Championship, Cameron Smith shoots nine-over as Shane Lowry stars

Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee have risen before first light to illuminate Australia's British Open chances — but Cameron Smith's hopes of reclaiming his 2022 title were plunged into darkness after a horror opening round at Royal Troon. Australian leaderboard R1 Adam Scott — 70 Min Woo Lee — 71 Jason Day — 73 Elvis Smylie — 76 Jasper Stubbs — 80 Cameron Smith — 80 Scott and Lee might not have been too thrilled to trudge out of bed in the dead of night to prepare for yawningly early tee times on Thursday, but both made the best of damp, squally conditions that only really improved late in the day as Irishman Shane Lowry grabbed the outright lead with a five-under 66. Open Championship at Royal Troon to test golf's best Photo shows The Claret Jug trophy placed in front of the 18th green and club house at Royal Troon Golf Club The oldest major in golf is set for its 152nd edition, as the best players in the world descend on Scotland for one of the toughest tests in the game. Completely out of sorts playing alongside leader Lowry, the 30-year-old, coming off three top-10 finishes in his last four LIV Golf Tour events, recorded nine bogeys alongside his triple, but at least showed champion's spirit by birdieing two of the final three holes.