KENT golfer Steven Tiley had a solid first round in The Open at Royal Troon today finishing level par.

The 21-year-old amateur from Herne Bay, playing in his first Open, had a bad start, with a bogey five at the first hole. He recovered with a birdie two at the eighth, but immediately dropped another shot at the next hole.

However, Tiley, a member at Canterbury, Chestfield and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs, birdied the 178-yard, par-three 14th to go back to level par, and did not drop another stroke on his way to a round of 71.

Among those he bettered were US Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who shot 73, last year's Open contender Thomas Bjorn, 74, Spanish star Sergio Garcia, 75, and former champion Paul Lawrie, 78.

Tiley is due to tee off his second round just before 3.30pm tomorrow.