Vijay in Hindi means victory, and that seems to evade Fijian Vijay Singh at the British Open at the Royal Birkdale in London.

He carded a round of 80 in the first round after struggling under rain and howling winds against some of the world premier in golf.

The former Nadi caddy-cum world champion is struggling against Mother Nature where he could not hole in on expected results.

"It was miserable, miserable, miserable weather," Singh said. "It was just a miserable day."
He was not the only battered big name golfer in the wet conditions.

Ernie Els and Singh had 10-over 80s, while Phil Mickelson had a 79 and all will have to shoot low to have a chance of making the cut.

For Els it was the worst score he had carded in 67 rounds at The Open and he angrily stomped off without speaking to reporters.

Mickelson said he had not given up hope of getting back in the hunt.

"I am not out of it by any means, but I have to shoot something a round par tomorrow," he commented.

Nevertheless, birdies were as common as pokes of sunshine through the thick gray blanket of clouds- which is to say, they were rare occurrences.

At the end of the day, only three players produced rounds of the sub-par variety. Those three also happen to be the co-leaders; Rocco Mediate, Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby, who all fired 1-under-par 69s.

Pre-tournament favorites Phil Mickelson shot an ugly 9-over 79, which was his highest first-round score at an Open Championship in relation to par.

Ulsterman Graeme McDowell, Rocco Mediate of the United States and Robert Allenby of Australia all took full advantage of improving weather conditions later in the day to share the first round lead in the British Open on Thursday.

One stroke back was Australian veteran champion Greg Norman, who rolled back the years with a 70, level with young compatriot Adam Scott and Bart Bryant of the United States.

South Africa's Retief Goosen and Canada's Mike Weir, deserved credit for grinding out a pair of hard-earned 71s.

They were joined by former US Open champion Jim Furyk, Frenchman Gregory Havret, Swedes Fredrik Jacobsen and Peter Hanson, and English pair Simon Wakefield and Anthony Wall.

Tournament favourite Sergio Garcia of Spain stayed well in touch coming in with a steady 72.

Playing in his 26th Open at the age of 53, two-times former winner Norman had two birdies to offset two bogeys for a share of fourth place, but he insisted he would not be getting carried away about his chances of winning.

Two-times US Open winner Goosen bounced back from a double-bogey six at the fifth, sinking monster putts at the 12th and 14th holes en route to his 71.

Former Masters Champion Weir joined him on one-over thanks to a magnificent five-iron from 205 yards which set up an eagle three at the 17th.

The second round is under progress.

Fijilive

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