John Parry went 17 holes without dropping a stroke, making a hole-in-one along the way. But he couldn’t take it home without a blemish. His tee shot at 18 found sand, and he was forced to chip out. He couldn’t make up the ground, and that’s a closing bogey. But the sting will subside soon enough: an ace at the Open, and a round of 67 that whisks the 38-year-old from Harrogate up to -3. Parry’s best – indeed only – finish at the Open was a tie for 62nd at St Andrews three years ago; his best finish at a major is a tie for 28th at the 2013 US Open. He’s got a great chance to better those tomorrow.