The Open 2011 - in pictures

There's a big crowd at the 1st hole on day one to see Rory McIlroy tee off Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

It's not a good start for the US Open Champion, he bogeyed the first and only got a par on the 2nd Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Rickie Fowler, sporting a natty paint splattered top, lines up a huge birdie putt on the 1st green Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

McIlroy taps at his club after a poor chip on to the 3rd green. He then missed the putt, carding a bogey four Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

He must leave that disappointment behind him as he concentrates on his putt on the 4th Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Cheer up Rory, you managed to par the 4th Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

McIlroy gives a fan his golf ball ... Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

... and Derak, from Holland, is a happy chap Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

McIlroy and Fowler walk onto the 6th green enveloped by huge crowds Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Rory contemplates his putt Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

McIlroy will wish he took a bit more time over that one after he misses a short birdie putt Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

All of the players must breathe a sigh of relief when their shots sail clear of this monster bunker on the 4th, the deepest in Championship golf Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

A cargo plane lands at Manston airbase across the bay from Sandwich. The 7th green is in the foreground Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Where'd they go? This way ... Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

... or maybe that way Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Aaron Baddeley plays his 2nd bunker shot on to the 6th green in front of expectant crowds. He bogeyed the hole and finished his round +7 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Luke Donald lines up a successful birdie putt on the 3rd green Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Donald tees off the 6th with Broadstairs pictured in the background across the bay Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Donald plays his second shot onto the 18th green. The world No1 finished his round on 71, one over par Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Thomas Bjorn walks on to the green after his tee shot on the 16th green. He holed the putt for a birdie Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Concentration is evident on the face of the Dane as he tees off on the 18th Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Bjorn acknowledges the crowd after holing out on the 18th green. Despite bogeying the hole, he went round in 65 and tops the leaderboard at 5 under par Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A hare runs across the 6th green Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Former Sandwich Open champion Ben Curtis curses the blustery conditions as he gets a face full of sand while splashing out from a fairway bunker on the 18th Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A thoughtful Lee Westwood plays his second from the fairway on the 10th Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

Sergio Garcia doesn't look too happy as he hacks out of the rough near 17th fairway Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

He doesn't look much happier as he plays his second shot on the 18th after a free drop from the crowd. He finished his round on par Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Tom Watson helps his caddie arrange his bib. Is it really that difficult? Photograph: David Levene

Another Watson, this time Bubba, tees off from the 11th Photograph: David Levene for The Guardian

Phil Mickelson pushes a drive on 12th Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Amateur Tom Lewis looks sheepish on the 11th green as he watches from behind his bag. Lewis birdied three holes in the opening nine before bogeying the 11th. Another bogey on 13 threatens to derail his good round Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Lewis's form improves swiftly and he birdies four holes in a row to move to five under level with Bjorn. He needs to hole a chip on the 18th to retain his share of the lead ... and he makes it! Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian