British Open Leaderboard 2013: Day 1 Updates and Online Coverage Info

The 2013 British Open is underway and the excitement around where the top names in the sport sit on the leaderboard is the focus of Day 1 at Muirfield Golf Links in Gullane, Scotland.

Even the most casual golf fans can’t help but be captivated by the intense links action of the Open Championship.

Here's how you can avoid missing any of the excitement from Day 1 and beyond.

Where: Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland

When: Thursday, July 18

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Real-Time Leaderboard Updates: The Open

Players Who Thrived on Day 1

Dustin Johnson

One of the biggest factors impacting how players are handling the British Open this year is the speed of the fairways, as Day 1 has shown. With the wind blowing and the playing surface dry, the ball is moving with incredible speed.

As one of the biggest hitters on tour, Dustin Johnson is thriving under the conditions.

The biggest test was going to be his accuracy, but after shooting a three-under-par 68 in the first round, it was clear that Johnson had found his stride.

The American star’s focus moving forward must be carrying that momentum through the entire tournament and maintaining his consistency.

Miguel Angel Jimenez

Miguel Angel Jimenez is one of the most interesting players in the field. After shooting a three-under-par 68 on Thursday, he is also a serious threat to steal the show at the British Open.

The key to a course like Muirfield is patience, and as a veteran of the game and someone familiar with the pressure of a major, Jimenez has put himself in a great position to contend for the Claret Jug heading into the weekend.

Jimenez bogeyed two holes on the back nine, but with five birdies on the front nine, it was clear that the Spanish star still had the rhythm and talent to capitalize on the way the course was playing.

Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson is another player known for his monstrous shots with a driver or his irons, and with the fairway playing like an extended green, and the ball running extremely long, this is the American’s time to shine.

After shooting a one-under-par 70 on Day 1, Watson has survived one of the wildest rounds of the day. With four bogeys, three birdies and an eagle in the first round, the major champion must find a rhythm in order to fully take advantage of the course.

Consistency has been Watson’s biggest enemy, but if he can find his stride after working out the kinks on Thursday, the American will be in contention throughout the weekend for a win.

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