Hoylake, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler traded birdies on the first two holes at the Open Championship and McIlroy remained six clear after four holes.
McIlroy drained a birdie putt from about 18 feet out at the first to jump to 17-under par. He parred the next three holes to remain there.
Fowler responded with a 8-foot birdie effort on the second to get back within six. The U.S. Open runner-up parred the first, third and fourth and stands at minus-11.
He was joined there 2007 Open Championship runner-up Sergio Garcia, who birdied the first and third to reach 11-under.
Robert Karlsson is 4-under through six holes to reach 10-under for the championship.
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera is the leader in the clubhouse at 6- under 282 after his 5-under 67 on Sunday.
Chris Wood matched the low round of the championship with his 7-under 65. He was joined at 5-under 283 by last year's champ Phi Mickelson, who birdied the last for a 68.
Five-time winner Tom Watson fired a 68 on Sunday to end at plus-1, while three-time champion Tiger Woods struggled to a 3-over 75. He ended in 69th place at 6-over 294, which was his worst finish in a major as a professional.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.