Japan's Hideki Matsuyama shot a 1-under 71 to sit seven strokes off the leader after the first round of the Open Championship on Thursday, the final major of the year.

Matsuyama, seeking his second major title following the 2021 Masters, carded four birdies and three bogeys to finish the round alongside his compatriot Yuto Katsuragawa in a group of 20 players tied for 35th.

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off the sixth tee during the first round of the British Open golf tournament on July 14, 2022, at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

American Cameron Young shot a 64 to top the leaderboard at 8-under as the Open returned to the Old Course in St. Andrews for the first time in seven years to mark the tournament's 150th edition. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland sits two shots behind in second.

Matsuyama had three birdies and a bogey through the 12th before finding himself back at even par when he bogeyed the 13th and missed a 2-meter par putt on No. 17.

But the 30-year-old made sure he finished the day on a positive note, driving the green on the par-4, 18th hole before two-putting for a birdie.

"It's been neither good nor bad. I give myself a little better than a pass mark," said Matsuyama.

Of the other Japanese, Keita Nakajima shot an even-par 72, Kazuki Higa a 73, Takumi Kanaya a 74 and Rikuya Hoshino a 75, while Shugo Imahira had the worst start among his compatriots with an 80.

Among the season's first three major winners, Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is best placed at 4-under, with PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas and U.S. Open titleholder Matt Fitzpatrick both at even. Three-time Open Championship winner and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods shot a 6-over round and sits in a tie for 146th.

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off the 18th tee during the first round of the British Open golf championship on July 14, 2022, at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo