Dan Brown leads British Open first round with 4-under 66
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 16, 2026, 2:45 PM
Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Dan Brown recorded a 4-under 66 to take the clubhouse lead during the first round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale on Thursday. The 31-year-old golfer made seven birdies, featuring three consecutive around the turn. Brown is one of few smokers in golf and reportedly went through seven or eight cigarettes during his round. He previously gained notoriety during the 2024 British Open where he tied for 10th place, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level. Brown expressed hope to maintain a strong position in the tournament as the rounds progress.
- •Brown is currently 4-under par after the first round.
- •He made seven birdies and overcame an early setback of 1 over.
- •Brown's smoking habit is notable among golfers and raised concerns about fire hazards.
- •He gained attention in the 2024 British Open with a tied 10th finish.
- •Royal Birkdale hosted the first round of the British Open on July 16.
- 3:56 PMYahoo Sports — Dan Brown lights up The Open Championship with another strong first round
- 2:45 PMYahoo Sports — 'Sorry, Mum': Cigarette smoker Dan Brown lights up British Open with another strong first round
"One of the few smokers in golf, Brown went through “seven or eight" cigarettes during his 4-under 66 that gave him the clubhouse lead midway through the first round at Royal Birkdale on Thursday. After weeks of sunshine in this northwest corner of England, the fairways here are baked and parched — making them a potential fire hazard from discarded cigarettes. The burly and bearded Brown is an interesting character, not least because of the 10 tattoos on his body — three of which are of little birds — and his YouTube channel called “BeersForeBogeys” which has around 4,000 subscribers.
"Dan Brown shot a 4-under 66 that gave him the clubhouse lead midway through the first round at Royal Birkdale.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 16, 2026, 3:56 PMDan Brown lights up The Open Championship with another strong first round
Dan Brown shot a 4-under 66 that gave him the clubhouse lead midway through the first round at Royal Birkdale.
- Yahoo SportsJul 16, 2026, 2:45 PM'Sorry, Mum': Cigarette smoker Dan Brown lights up British Open with another strong first round
One of the few smokers in golf, Brown went through “seven or eight" cigarettes during his 4-under 66 that gave him the clubhouse lead midway through the first round at Royal Birkdale on Thursday. After weeks of sunshine in this northwest corner of England, the fairways here are baked and parched — making them a potential fire hazard from discarded cigarettes. The burly and bearded Brown is an interesting character, not least because of the 10 tattoos on his body — three of which are of little birds — and his YouTube channel called “BeersForeBogeys” which has around 4,000 subscribers.
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