Sepp Straka posts strong opening round at British Open

Austrian No. 1 Sepp Straka opened the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club with a 68 (‑2 under par), placing him 13th, three shots behind leader Jackson Suber of the United States. Straka’s round featured two bogeys on the front nine, followed by three birdies on the back nine, and he finished on the same score as world‑number‑one Scottie Scheffler.

Fellow Austrian Bernd Wiesberger recorded a 71 (‑1) and sits 60th, still within the cut line. Other notable players struggled: U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark shot 73, while Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose posted over‑par scores. About 70 of the 156 competitors will advance to the final two rounds, competing for the Claret Jug and a $3.2 million prize purse.

Straka’s performance follows his runner‑up finish at the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool, the best result ever by an Austrian in the tournament.