BBC Sport golf

Ivor Robson, the official starter at the Open since 1975, gets proceedings under way at 0630 sharp as Craig Parry tees off

Defending champion Padraig Harrington, struggling with a wrist injury, warms up on the range before confirming he will start his first round

Conditions are hardly ideal early on as former US Open champion Retief Goosen lines up his tee shot on the second

Five-times Open champion Tom Watson and one of Britain's best hopes, Justin Rose, are among the early starters

The poor conditions claim an early casualty as, after two double bogeys and a triple bogey, Sandy Lyle quits after 10 holes

Lee Westwood is appropriately dressed and his mixed day is given a boost when he chips in from the edge of the sixth green

It is not just the players who are struggling, the weather playing havoc with this marshall's umbrella

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and American Boo Weekley find something to smile about on the fourth tee

A double bogey on the sixth threatens to derail Justin Rose's challenge but the world number nine is still in the hunt

The form of David Duval has dipped dramatically since his 2001 Open win, but the American makes a great start to his Birkdale challenge

England's Ian Poulter looks in great form in his relatively understated golf attire

Korean KJ Choi is having a good day in the north west of England even if his caddie is not

One hardy fan finds a way to keep himself content during the first round at Birkdale

Padraig Harrington shakes off his wrist injury to finish his first round with a respectable score of 74

Two-time winner Greg Norman shows form of old on his way to a round of 70

And Norman is joined by wife Chris Evert who bravely supported her husband through the wet conditions

Graeme McDowell also produces a great round, 69, to fly the flag for the Britons

Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia finds time to smile during his round of 72, which sees him three shots off the lead

Anthony Wall, in one of the last groups on the course, shot a round of 71 to finish two off the lead