Tiger Woods must have known something when he picked Rory McIlroy (-9) last week as a favorite to win the British Open. The Hollywood, Northern Ireland native tied Woods’ Major Championship record round of 63 to lead the field at St. Andrews yesterday on the first day of play.

The youngster got hot on the back nine where he shot a 30 marked an eagle and six birdies. "I didn't get off to a flying start," McIlroy said. "The eagle on 9 really sort of turned things around for me, and I just got going from there. It was great to get into the rhythm of the round and get into a flow. And yeah, it was a very pleasant round of golf."

Rory had an opportunity to make history and notch a course record ten under 62 as he just missed a birdie putt on the 17th hole. “It sort of went through my mind at the 17th tee that 62 would be the lowest round in a major. Probably why I missed the putt,” McIlroy said.

This remarkable effort equaled the St. Andrews course record set by Paul Broadhurst in 1990.

Other notables: Tiger Woods (-5), Shane Lowry (-3), Darren Clarke (-2), Colm Moriarity (-1), Graeme McDowell (E) Padraig Harrington (+1).