Calcavecchia Shoots a 71, Says He ‘Played Rotten’ and Is ‘Disgusted’

Mark Calcavecchia made what he called a “disgusting” start to the defense of his British Open title today with a one-under-par 71.

“I was fairly disgusted with my game today,” said the American, who beat Australians Greg Norman and Wayne Grady in a playoff last year at Troon.

“I played rotten golf. I hit my irons horrendously and spent the whole day trying to get down from 40 to 50 yards.

“I’m not happy about anything but I guess it’s not a 75 or a 76 like it could have been.”

Calcavecchia started reasonably with a 35-foot putt for birdie on the second hole, but after a second birdie at the third, he failed to break par for the rest of the round.

His only bogey came at the infamous 17th hole where, ironically, he felt he hit his best iron shot of the day. But his ball trickled over the edge of the green on to the stony path behind and he needed three putts to get down.