The Open: Danny Willett left irked by his '˜distinctly average' day

The Yorkshireman felt he should have scored better than the 71 he signed for on day one.

Willett’s solid outward 33 was undone by a run of three successive bogeys after the turn.

The Sheffielder said: “It’s just frustrating. It could have been a really good day, but it ended up being distinctly average, when the scoring conditions are as good as you can really ask for out here.

“It’s neither here nor there. It would have been nice to post a decent number.

“It’s only Thursday, but it’s always nice to get off to a good start in these tournaments.

“You know what the weather’s going to do (on Friday), so it’s anyone’s game and it would be nice to be a couple shots closer.”

Willett’s profile has soared since his success at Augusta in April, but he did not feel under greater scrutiny as a major winner on home soil.

The 28-year-old said: “Just teeing off in the Open regardless of what you’ve done is fantastic. It’s always great up here.

“Around a golf course like this, you’ve got a pretty good atmosphere on the fields where you’ve got holes running next to each other and a lot of people out there watching and supporting.

“The crowds at the Open are always brilliant regardless what you’re doing.”

Willett’s fellow Sheffielder Matt Fitzpatrick – the British and Nordea Masters champion – finished two over par with a first-round 73.

Fitzpatrick dropped a shot at the third hole, but reached the turn one under thanks to birdies at six and eight.

When the back nine was playing at its most awkward he managed eight pars – but all that fine work was undermined by a triple bogey seven at the 11th.