Bob MacIntyre delivered a three-under 67 in his first round at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, describing the score as exactly what he had hoped for.

The 29-year-old from Scotland recorded four birdies and a single bogey across his initial competitive appearance at the venue.

MacIntyre sank a lengthy 46-foot putt to birdie the opening hole and added another at the second.

"Exactly what I wanted," MacIntyre said to BBC Scotland. "Exactly the start that I felt I needed to get right into the golf tournament.

"There is not much I would have altered. Clearly some putts I hoped would drop stayed out, yet it proved a steady beginning.

"Fairways and greens. Greens matter most. Of course fairways help avoid the bunkers. Still I had no plans for an early surge or similar.

"I struck a fine putt at the first, a strong approach at the second, and felt I performed well thereafter."

The par-70 layout at Royal Birkdale features several par-four holes that once played as par fives.

"One issue I dislike is par fives shortened to par fours," MacIntyre noted. "It leaves little room for tee shots because the fairway narrows too much for a par four.

"Yet on the 18th I played it as far as possible. I laid up short of the pot bunker left and accepted a longer approach, then focused on scrambling.

"Bogeys rarely end hopes but doubles can. On some holes the aim is simply to miss the pot bunkers. The 13th follows the same idea. Reach the green area and scramble from there. I believe I handle that well."

The two-time European Ryder Cup player starts his second round on Friday at 12:25 BST.

"I will give no thought to golf until I begin the drive here tomorrow," he said.

"That approach has helped me greatly in recent times. I focus on golf only when required."

Earlier MacIntyre told BBC Radio 5 Live there remains scope for a low total yet he refuses to dwell on it.

"I am exactly where I wish to be," he added.