Unknown amateur Tom Lewis, who dreams of winning more majors than fellow Englishman Nick Faldo, stole the show at the 140th British Open Thursday by claiming a shock share of the first-round lead with Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn. Lewis, 20, making the most of benign conditions late in the day, celebrated his Open debut by shooting a five-under 65 that included a dazzling run of four straight birdies from the 14th. Bjorn, 40, a late entry from the reserve list who started his round early and had to tussle with difficult 20-mph winds, helped banish the demons of his late collapse the last time the event was held at Royal St. George's eight years ago. Lewis and Bjorn were one shot ahead of former US Open champion Lucas Glover and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez. “Today was a massive step in the right direction for me because mentally I was very strong,” said Bjorn. Lewis and Faldo learned the game at the same golf club in Welwyn Garden City and the blond, 5-foot-10 amateur says he wants to eclipse Faldo's record of six major victories. While Lewis and Bjorn were sharing the spotlight on the Kent coast, tournament favorite Rory McIlroy was brought back down to earth after his remarkable US Open victory by an opening one-over 71. The 22-year-old Briton prompted groans from his army of fans when he three-putted the first hole. McIlroy dropped another stroke when he failed to get up and down from off the green at the third but he hit a mid-range iron at the eighth, drilling his ball under the 20-mph breezes to within eight feet of the flag and sinking his birdie putt. The Northern Irishman then carded his third bogey of the day at the par-four 13th before hitting back with a birdie three on the penultimate hole. McIlroy's 71 was matched by world No. 1 Luke Donald and second-ranked Lee Westwood. But American Ben Curtis slumped to a 77. The biggest roar of the day was reserved for American Dustin Johnson who aced the 16th during a purple patch that saw him go five-under in four holes on the inward nine in his 70.
