Wilson leads the way after strong Carnoustie showing

OliverWilson

The Englishman birdied the first two holes on the opening day of the competition and went on to break par twice more before the turn. 

A bogey at the penultimate hole was the only negative of a stunning back nine as Wilson finished a shot clear of France's Raphael Jacquelin and two in front of Irishman Padraig Harrington.

"It's nice to just get out there and take advantage," Wilson told the European Tour website.

"Looking at the forecast, getting Carnoustie out of the way is theoretically the best thing, but you've still got to go and play and shoot a good score to take advantage of it and I'm delighted that I have."

Shane Lowry and Ryan Evans are tied third and fifth respectively after strong showings at Kingsbarns.

Lowry birdied three of the first four holes on his way to a six-under effort while Evans recovered from a dropped short at the second to finish five under.

Robert Rock also finished five under after a faultless round at St Andrews while Europe's Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley managed to make par after a slow start.

McGinley skippered Europe to a resounding victory at Gleneagles at the weekend but was two over through four at Carnoustie.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke is hotly tipped to take over from McGinley for the matchplay event at Hazeltine, Minnesota in two years and the 46-year-old broke par at St Andrews. 

Clarke recovered from a double bogey at the second to post a solid 71 while world number one Rory McIlroy struggled to hit the heights of Gleneagles. 

A bogey on the front nine coupled with another after the turn left him one over and tied 97th. 

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