Justin Thomas Cards 72 in First Round of 150th Open Championship

The final men's major of 2022 is underway, and former Alabama national champion Justin Thomas ended his Thursday round at St. Andrews with a 72.

Thomas played The Old Course in joggers, something which drew significant social media attention, and double bogeyed the 17th hole to finish even par. He is tied for 55th entering play on Friday, alongside such names as U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson and Kevin Na. Defending British Open champion Collin Morikawa is also even par and sits at T55.

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U.S.A. native Cameron Young is in the lead after a torrid start, carding an 8-under 64. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who has not won a major since the 2014 British Open, trails him by two strokes. Young tied for third at the PGA Championship in May, which Thomas won.

Thomas was one of the best bets to win the Open, with 14-1 odds, and was 2-under through 16 for his opening round. Had he held that score, he'd be tied for 27th. He birdied just twice on Thursday, but the 6 on the par-4 17th was his only bogey of any kind.

Thomas is not the only Alabama alum competing at St. Andrews. Following his win at the Barbasol Championship last week, two-time NCAA champion Trey Mullinax got the last spot in Scotland. He bogeyed on 17 but finished 1-under with 4 birdies in his opening round. The two former Tide golfers' scorecards were identical through six.

Thomas does plan to wear different pants as part of his Friday look when he takes to the course for his second round. He'll tee off at 9:10 A.M. CT.