Sergio Garcia (65): "I really didn't think about last time (1999). I mentioned it once on the first hole. When I holed my putt (from eight feet) I said to my caddie Glenn 'four better than last time'. It's not about revenge. I just want to play solid and put myself in position to do something on Sunday. This is a good start - definitely what the doctor ordered."

Tiger Woods (69): "The back nine is really tough, you have to just suck it up and hit some good shots coming in. To play the last three holes one under par, I will take that any day. (On 16) I was just trying to get it up there anywhere close to have an easy second putt and lo and behold it falls in."

Paul McGinley (67): "It obviously feels wonderful to be leading a major championship. The thing that pleased me most was I played with quality - and it's a pretty good tournament to do it in. I did play well, I haven't played like that for a while and it was a lot of fun. I've been making cuts but not contending, that was a step up in quality and a good time to do it. I found something on the range this morning, it felt comfortable and it clicked and off I went."

Rory McIlroy (68): "One better than Tiger (Woods) - and hopefully I can build on it. Tiger's always been my hero and it's a pretty special feeling that I shot one better. And it's awesome I beat my playing partners. I remember Justin's (Rose) performance (at Birkdale). It was just phenomenal and if he can do it I am sure I can. I'm playing well and that's going to be my mindset. Hopefully I can be in his position nine years on."

Michael Campbell (68): "I'm very satisfied, it's the best start in a major for me over the last few years. It was very tough, raining and cold early and we had every bit of clothing on. It was nice to get to three under after six and then I just tried to hold on from there because I knew it was a tough finish, and it was a great birdie from 30ft on 17. I said to my coach and wife that it would not surprise me if I am leading, I'm playing so well."

Padraig Harrington (69): "I'm very pleased with the score, I did a lot of good things all the way through. It's hard to lead a tournament like this for three or four days, so I'm in a good position and 69 is a good return. Just have to keep doing more of the same."

Luke Donald (70): "I played fine today. There were some good opportunities for birdies early on but the back nine, and in particular the 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th are very tough holes and I started to hit a few wayward shots coming down the stretch. I had to hit a driver, then a three wood on the 18th (a 499-yard par four) and was still 15 yards short. But under par in a major is never bad, it's a good steady start. I'm disappointed I didn't hit better shots down the stretch but overall pretty pleased."

Jim Furyk (70): "I'm disappointed in bogeying the last. I played well and one under doesn't hurt. I am always peeved walking off the last hole the way I did but overall one under is a decent score. I feel there are spots where I could have scored better."

Nick Dougherty (71): "I'm keeping the dream alive. Level par is a good start considering I wasn't fully on my game. The finish here can easily take three or four shots off you. I'm very pleased with my position."

David Howell (72): "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry on the fourth tee. But I turned it around and I'm proud of myself. Me and this tournament don't go together and I feared it was going to be the same but I'm not out of it and I put the smile back on my face."

Paul Lawrie (73): "I felt I didn't get what I deserved. I didn't play too badly. It was the wrong club at the third, but I'm surprised it spun as much. Then at the 14th the ball plugged in the bank and you don't get free drops for embedded balls in the rough in the Open, so I made (bogey) six. Apart from that I played really well, but no putts until the 18th. Two over is no disaster, but I felt I deserved a few less."

Justin Rose (75): "I felt like I was cruising. I haven't figured out exactly what happened. It was subdued this morning, somewhat quiet. I was playing nicely. I don't have an explanation why I ran out of gas. I've just got to shake it off."

Nick Faldo (79): "The last time I played was November and every swing was different. It was painful. I didn't enjoy that at all. That's not me."