Sneaky Snedeker cards 66 at Lytham to trail by two shots

In his final practice session before the Open Championship on Wednesday, Brandt Snedeker made an ace at the par-4 fifth hole. He struck there again on Day 1 at Lytham.

Snedeker shot a first-round 66 on Thursday, making four bogeys and 14 pars to trail leader Adam Scott by two shots.

One of the four birdies came at the par-4 16th, where he made the rare albatross practicing alone a day ago, which he referred to as "a waste of a great shot."

The winner in San Diego has failed to make the cut in three attempts at the Open Championship. A change in strategy, however, has him poised to aim for much more than his first paycheck in this event.

“I am the kind of guy who makes a lot of birdies,” Snedeker said. “But this week I’m trying to aim to the fat part of greens and realize that I’m good putter.”