Open Championship field breaks 80 – a first since 1998

For the first time in 14 years, a full field beat 80 in a round of a major championship.

All 156 players to tee it up on Day 1 of the 141st Open Championship broke 80 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. Ulsterman Michael Hoey came closest, shooting 9-over 79 to leave him in last place. The field scoring average was 71.583.

The last time the full field of a major championship all broke 80 since the opening round of the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. The highest score that day was 8-over 78, shot by Bradley Dredge, Francis Howley, Gary Orr and Toru Suzuki.

For the weekend field to collectively break 80, however, is a much more common occurrence. The weekend field at the U.S. Open all broke 80 in each of the final two rounds.