A British young gun has stormed to the top of the leader board on day one of the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St Georges – and it wasn’t Rory McIlroy.

English amateur Tom Lewis played an outstanding first round score of 65 to tie the lead with Swedish veteran Thomas Bjorn at five under par on the blustery Kent course.

US Open winner McIlroy was slower out the blocks and could only post a first round score of 71, leaving him one over par for the first round.

Highlight of the day however was American Dustin Johnson’s magnificent hole in one on the 16^th. Despite being two over par the 27-year old showed no nerves to ace the par 3 and put himself at level for the day.

Top of the Scots were Stephen Gallacher and debutant Peter Whiteford. Both men hit first round scores of 70 to leave them just 5 shots off the lead.

Kirkcaldy born Whiteford stormed into contention on the front nine with birdies at the 4^th and 8^th holes. But high winds and rain put the stoppers on his run as he bogeyed on the 9^th and 18^th.

Elsewhere, Arizona based Scot Martin Laird remains at two over par whilst former Open winner Paul Lawrie stays at three over after four bogey holes.