Jeev Milkha Singh was pleased with his level par opening round as the Indian looks to become the first player to follow up an Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open win with an Open Championship victory the next week.
Having beaten Italian Francesco Molinari in a play-off at Castle Stuart on Sunday, Singh carded five birdies but also three bogeys and a double bogey at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
“I played really well the first 11 holes,” said Singh, who briefly led on three under before bogeying the 12th and double bogeying the 13th.
“The 13th hole got me. I hit a bad shot, and I think I got greedy with it. When you hit it in the rough you need to take your medicine and move on. I made a double there but came back with a birdie on the next and made some good pars coming in.
“I've just got to stay patient. I'm happy that I've come away with a 70 although I thought I could have done much better.”
Singh’s victory in Scotland secured his place in The Open, and the 40 year old admitted to enjoying only his second appearance in the event.
“It's fantastic and it's a joy for me,” he added. “I'm a very fortunate man to be playing this week after last week, and I'm just going to enjoy this week.
“It was good to see [my name on the leaderboard] and hopefully we can carry on that form.”
