The Open 2021: Louis Oosthuizen leads from Jordan Spieth and Brian Harman after round one

Former champion Louis Oosthuizen leads The Open by one stroke after posting a brilliant bogey-free six under par on the opening day at Royal St George's.

The 2010 winner salvaged par on the 18th to set the early pace as the Kent venue welcomed the return of fans, with up to 32,000 allowed each day.

That puts the South African one clear of another former champion in American Jordan Spieth, the 2017 winner.

Brian Harman also reached five under in warm but windy conditions on the coast.

Six major winners have been crowned since the last staging of The Open two years ago, with the 2020 championship cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shane Lowry won the 148th edition at Portrush in 2019 and the Irishman opened his title defence on Thursday with a one-over 71.

Englishmen Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood are part of a group sitting three off the lead, with American world number one Dustin Johnson one further back at two under.

This article originally appeared on BBC Sport

Photo: Sky Sports