Yahoo News Kevin Kisner looking to match Carnousite housemates with Open Championship title
His Carnoustie housemates already have eight major titles between them and now Kevin Kisner is hoping to making it nine after a brilliant start to the 147th Open Championship.
Kisner carded an eagle and four birdies in an opening 66 to set the clubhouse target on five under par as the early starters took advantage of ideal conditions.
The 34-year-old American is sharing a house this week with defending champion Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson, Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler, with only Fowler and Kisner still seeking their first major.
"It's not intimidating at all," said Kisner, who also shared a plane ride home with Spieth last year after his victory at Royal Birkdale. "They're all great people. That's the best part about it.
"I mean, we're out there playing soccer at night and hanging out. Everybody is just really chill and it's a lot of fun to be around those guys. There's a lot of great players. It's really cool just to hear what they have to say.
"I spent a lot of time with Jordan and the Claret Jug. I flew home with him after he won and I'm staying with him this week and he no longer has it. He gave it back on Monday. It would be cool to return the favour and let him look at it a little bit."
Kisner also travelled to Paris last week with Spieth and several other potential members of the United States Ryder Cup team in order to play this year's venue, Le Golf National.
"The way I've been playing coming in, it hasn't really even been on my mind, but I knew if I played well here it would be a great opportunity to move up the list," added Kisner, who is currently 19th in the qualifying standings.
In Pictures | The Open Championship at Carnoustie
In Pictures | The Open Championship at Carnoustie
1/13 2018
The Claret Jug returns to Carnoustie for the eighth time this year.
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2/13 2007
Padraig Harrington celebrates after winning his first Open Championship, beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off at Carnoustie.
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3/13 2007
Padraig Harrington poses with the Claret Jug, which he would go on to defend at Royal Birkdale the following year.
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4/13 1999
One of the Open's most famous images, as French golfer Jean van de Velde climbs into the Burn on the 18th, before losing the play-off at Carnoustie.
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5/13 1999
Scotsman Paul Lawrie won the play-off in 1999, winning his first and only major.
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6/13 1975
An icon of the Open his born as American Tom Watson wins his first of five Claret Jugs.
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7/13 1968
Having won his first Open Championship at Muirfield in 1958, Gary Player plays down the final hole at Carnoustie in 1968 when he won by two shots.
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8/13 1968
South African Gary Player celebrates after getting his hands on the Claret Jug for the second time.
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9/13 1953
Ben Hogan won nine major championships throughout his career, but just one Open Championship, at Carnoustie in 1953.
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10/13 1953
Following Ben Hogan's win, the sixth hole at Carnoustie has been renamed 'Hogan's Alley, after the American took the most challenging line off the tee of the par five in each of his four rounds that week.
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11/13 1937
The Open returned to Carnoustie for a second time in 1937, when Englishman Henry Cotton won his second of three Claret Jugs, winning by two shots with a score of two over par.
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12/13 1931
The Open was first held at Carnoustie in 1937, where Tommy Armour held firm to win by one shot, having been five back at the start of play on the Sunday.
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13/13 1931
Armour, who lost his sight due to mustard gas in the First World War before regaining sight in his right eye, claimed £100 in prize money for his win, around £6,600 in today's money.
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"So I'm looking forward to playing over there. The golf course was sweet. I think it's perfect for my game, but I have to go make the team."
As for the relative sporting merits of his house-mates, Kisner could not resist getting in a gentle dig at the man he hopes to succeed as Open Champion.
Asked if Spieth was good at football, the world number 33 said: "Oh, yeah, absolutely. Until he sends it over the goal four houses over and we've got to go knock on neighbours' doors for the soccer ball."
