Veteran Watson out in front

Watson carded an opening 65, five under par, in benign conditions, the same score he recorded in the last two rounds on his way to victory here in 1977 in the famous 'Duel in the Sun' with Jack Nicklaus.

The 59-year-old recorded five birdies and no bogeys in a flawless display to lead by one from Colombia's Camilo Villegas, American pair Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink and Australian duo John Senden and Matthew Goggin.

Seeking a 15th major title and fourth Open, world number one Tiger Woods struggled badly and was six off the pace after a round of 71, one over par. Woods swore, threw clubs and embarrassingly topped his second shot on the ninth - a shot more usually seen from a weekend hacker - and was often wayward off the tee.

In contrast, Watson birdied the first from five feet, holed from 20ft for a second on the third and saw another birdie putt on the next lip out.

The American, who underwent hip replacement surgery in October last year, birdied the 10th, 12th and 17th as well to carry on the trend of veteran players excelling in the Open, Greg Norman having finished third last year at the age of 53.

Woods had been overshadowed by playing partner Lee Westwood in the early stages, the Englishman starting with three straight birdies and missing from four feet for another on the fourth before a sloppy bogey six on the par-five seventh.

Woods allowed himself a wry smile after completely misreading his birdie putt on the first, birdied the second but bogeyed the third and was lucky to get away with another poor drive on the seventh.

The American also bogeyed the 10th and 15th and then followed Westwood in dumping his approach to the 16th into the burn guarding the front of the green.

Woods salvaged a bogey there while Westwood (68) ran up a six, and both players had reason to be disappointed with their efforts on a day when, as Westwood admitted, "the course was there for the taking".