GULLANE, Scotland (AP) — Zach Johnson has sure figured out how to play the first round of the British Open.
Rory McIlroy can't seem to figure out anything.
Bouncing back from a tough loss last weekend, Johnson opened with a 6-under 66 on a sunny Thursday at Muirfield — another brilliant opening after a 65 at Lytham last year.
"I don't know what the secret is," Johnson said. "I hit some nice shots and obviously I putted really, really well."
Now, he needs to finish the job.
A year ago, the 2007 Masters champion followed up with a 74 in the second round on the way to a ninth-place finish.