AMERICAN Dustin Johnson is determined to embrace the true challenge of the St Andrews links when the wind and rain arrives to put the bite into the Old Course over the next 48 hours.

Johnson made the most of the favourable opening day weather in Fife to post the best score of the day when his flawless seven-under 65 claimed a one shot lead from a five-strong group behind him.

Compatriots Robert Streb and Zach Johnson together with South African Retief Goosen and Aussie Jason Day form that group after also enjoying a productive first day on the east coast of Scotland.

But all of those who class themselves in contention for the Claret Jug at the end of day one are well aware that things are going to take a dramatic turn for the worse over the next two days.

Strong winds – particularly tomorrow – and heavy showers are expected which could cause havoc for the star-studded field and even those who failed to break par yesterday might think they still have a chance.

Johnson, who led last month’s US Open at Chambers Bay after the first round but ended up throwing the title Jordan Spieth’s way on the final day, is braced for what is to come.

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After hitting an impressive 89 per cent of his greens in regulation on day one and taking only 28 putts, Johnson said: “Everybody knows the weather Friday and Saturday is going to be very difficult, so I thought it was very important to get off to a good start and I tried to make as many birdies as I could because the next couple days it's going to be very difficult.

“I mean, I've played well in this tournament the last five years. We've had some pretty good weather in all of them, if not most of them. I enjoy it.

“The golf is going to be interesting on Friday, you know, but I enjoy the challenge. I like it. You've got to be very creative. You've got to use your imagination a lot when you're out there when the wind is blowing that hard.”

Playing partner Spieth is menacingly placed too, just a shot further back on five-under after shooting a 67. The pair will be out again this afternoon, when they are expected to get the best of the day’s conditions, and playing alongside his friend is helping.

“We both just played really well,” said Johnson, whose eagle at the fifth really got him motoring. “I mean, we're good buddies, and we like playing with each other.

“We had a lot of fun out there. It's special when you're playing well. You always have a lot more fun when you're playing well. But yeah, I mean, our whole group played well.”

World number four Day, who tends to be there or thereabouts on Sundays but is yet to win his first major, is confident but thinks he will have to spoil the Johnson-Spieth party.

“Bloody hell, they just won't go away,” said Day. “It's good to see because it's good for the game of golf, Dustin Johnson playing well, Jordan Spieth. No, the only person we're missing is Rory (McIlroy).

“It's unfortunate to see him out right now, but hopefully he has a speedy recovery. Right now it's good excitement for the game of golf with how things are going. It's kind of extended on from the US Open with Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth where they are right now, so it's going to be an exciting three days coming up.”

But Scotsman Lawrie, 46, is not planning on going anywhere either as he bids to win a second Open; 16 years after victory at Carnoustie.

He said: “It's always really cool to play golf in Scotland in front of the best fans in the world. I mean, let's be honest, they cheer all the players, to be fair, but when you're a Scot and you get it going out there, then obviously you hear your name a little bit more than the guys you're playing with.

“I tend to play a little better in front of them. I don't feel more pressure. I feel the opposite. I kind of feel a bit more relaxed and I kind of play some nice golf, to be fair.”