Herbert's record front nine snatches British Open lead

Australia's Lucas Herbert equalled a British Open record with a six-under par 28 on the front nine at Royal Birkdale on Friday to storm into the lead.

Herbert began the day at level par, but after birdies at the three opening holes, he picked up more shots at the fifth, seventh and ninth to move ahead of overnight leader Jackson Suber.

Herbert's 28 sees him match the record set by Denis Durnian at Birkdale in 1983 for the lowest first nine in British Open history.

Suber, the world number 115, faltered with three consecutive bogeys on the sixth, seventh and eighth to lose his lead, but bounced back on the back nine to return to five under par for the tournament with three holes of his second round to play.

Collin Morikawa, the British Open champion five years ago, was another to make a move in the perfect sunny conditions on England's north-west coast.

Two birdies in his opening four holes took Morikawa to four under par.

Rory McIlroy made a bright start as he aims to overcome a difficult opening round that put his quest for a seventh major on the back foot.

The world number two's perfect approach set up a birdie at the second hole and four pars have left McIlroy at one over par for the tournament after five.

Scottie Scheffler is among the later starters as he aims to build on a steady start to his defence of the Claret Jug.

The world number one begins at two under par in a marquee group alongside Bryson DeChambeau and England's Tyrrell Hatton at 3.04pm local time (1404GMT).

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