Dan Brown lights up The Open with surprise lead – and says he hopes he can keep smoking during his rounds

ROYAL BIRKDALE, ENGLAND — English golfer Dan Brown has once again become one of the biggest stories at The Open Championship, storming into a share of the early lead after an impressive opening-round 66 (-4) at Royal Birkdale.

Two years after stunning golf fans by leading after the opening day at Royal Troon, Brown has repeated the feat, proving his previous major performance was no fluke. Despite enduring a difficult season on the PGA Tour, the 31-year-old produced seven birdies and just three bogeys to place himself firmly in contention for golf's oldest major.

A familiar fast start at The Open

Brown's name first caught the attention of the golfing world in 2024 when he unexpectedly topped the leaderboard after the opening round of The Open at Royal Troon before eventually finishing tied for 10th.

Now, history appears to be repeating itself.

His opening 66 at Royal Birkdale immediately placed him alongside South Korea's Sungjae Im at the top of the clubhouse leaderboard.

"I'm obviously pleased, but it's only Thursday," Brown admitted after his round.

"Hopefully I'm still around the top of the leaderboard on Sunday. I genuinely believe I can compete in majors."

The performance was particularly surprising given Brown's recent struggles. Since joining the PGA Tour, he has missed the cut in 10 of his 13 events this season.

The fan favourite who smokes during tournaments

Brown has become one of the most recognisable personalities on tour—not only for his fearless golf but also for his unconventional habit of smoking cigarettes during competitive rounds.

The Englishman was widely seen during this year's PGA Championship taking cigarette breaks and even stopping to pose for selfies with spectators.

Royal Birkdale has issued repeated warnings this week because of extremely dry conditions and an increased fire risk, prompting questions over whether Brown would still be allowed to smoke on the course.

His answer made reporters smile.

"Nobody has told me I can't," Brown joked.

"I make sure they're completely out afterwards. Hopefully they'll let me keep doing it all week."

He even revealed just how many cigarettes he typically smokes during a competitive round.

"Probably seven or eight during a round. The more stressful it gets, the more I smoke."

Ironically, Brown admitted that as a child he had begged his father to quit smoking.

"My dad used to smoke and I always told him to stop. He eventually quit... then I ended up starting."

Form book thrown out the window

Very few expected Brown to challenge at Royal Birkdale.

His season has been disappointing, with missed cuts becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Yet links golf has once again brought out the best in him.

The baked-out fairways and fast-running conditions suited his attacking style, while his calm putting helped him convert seven birdie opportunities.

If Brown can maintain this level over the remaining three rounds, another remarkable major championship run could be on the cards.

MacIntyre also launches title challenge

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre also enjoyed an excellent opening day, carding a three-under-par 67 to sit just one stroke behind the leaders.

Fresh from finishing tied third at last week's Genesis Scottish Open, MacIntyre admitted winning The Open would fulfil every golfing dream he has ever had.

"If I won The Open—or any major—I could retire happy," he said.

"That would complete everything I've ever dreamed about in golf."

MacIntyre believes patience rather than aggression was the key to his strong start around Royal Birkdale's demanding layout.

A long road still ahead

Although Brown sits among the early leaders, he knows experience has taught him that Thursday success guarantees nothing.

He held the first-round lead at Royal Troon in 2024 before eventually finishing outside title contention.

This time, however, Brown believes he is a more complete golfer.

"I'm a better player than I was two years ago."

With three rounds remaining, the Englishman has once again become one of the biggest talking points at The Open—both for his golf and for the cigarettes that have almost become part of his trademark.

Whether Brown's unconventional routine ends with the Claret Jug remains to be seen, but after another stunning opening round, one thing is certain: golf fans will be watching closely all weekend.