British Open: 5 Ams struggle in weather

SOUTHPORT, England (July 17, 2008)--The howling winds and driving rain that led to some of the highest opening-round scores ever for a host of the world's top golfers was just as tough on the five amateurs in the field at Royal Birkdale, site of the 2008 British Open. England's Chris Wood was one of the lucky ones with an afternoon tee time, when the conditions had died down. The former Welsh Stroke Play champion leads the ams with a final score of 4-over 74, good for a tie for 39th. Thomas Sherreard, the second English amateur in the field and a former two-time British Boys Championship winner, was next at 7-over 77. Rounding out the amateur field is Australia's Rohan Blizard (78), France's Benjamin Hebert (79) and Netherland's Reiner Saxton (80). U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate joins Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Australia's Robert Allenby as the first day leaders at 1-under-69.