Dyson: Tough going
It's a slog - you can't play. You put a four-handicapper on that first tee and they'd probably shoot 100. That's no exaggeration. It's nearly unplayable. This is the worst day I have played in.
Simon Dyson
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England's Simon Dyson took a swipe at the Royal and Ancient Club after carding a 12-over-par first round of 82 in 137th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.
Dyson was in the first group of the day to go out and endured some terrible conditions with heavy rain and strong winds battering the course.
Despite the adverse weather, tournament officials decided against bringing the tees forward to aid the field drawing criticism from Dyson.
"I can't believe they didn't put the tees forward and I think they'll come under fire," said the Yorkshireman
"If it was a European Tour event they would have had a few more tees forward. There was not one and there are only four holes downwind.
"It's a slog - you can't play. You put a four-handicapper on that first tee and they'd probably shoot 100. That's no exaggeration. It's nearly unplayable. This is the worst day I have played in.
"I don't think I've played a par four that I couldn't reach with my best drive and my best three-wood - and there are three of them. That shows how hard it is.
"The course is set up tough, with tough pins. Three par-fours out there, you hit your three best shots and still don't get on the green. It shows how hard it is."
Parry downbeat
Australian Craig Parry, who took the first tee shot of the tournament and played with Dyson, returned a 77, but echoed the sentiments of his playing partner.
"Bloody miserable," he responded when asked about his round. "It was an honour to hit the first tee shot but after that it got really hard.
"It was just really, really tough out there. Sixteen of the holes were into the wind and my three-wood was going about 180 yards into the wind. You could probably putt it further than that.
"We just had a miserable time out there and hopefully it doesn't keep blowing like we've had so far.
"It's the worst opening day I can remember but I can remember worse days. You've just got to grin and bear it and do your best."
