Ex-soccer hopeful Manley is Open's early clubhouse leader

Golf - The 146th Open Championship - Royal Birkdale - Southport, Britain - July 20, 2017 Wales's Stuart Manley hits his tee shot on the second hole during the first round REUTERS/Hannah McKay

SOUTHPORT, England (Reuters) - Welshman Stuart Manley closed his round with an eagle and a birdie to become the early clubhouse leader with a two-under-par 68 at the British Open on Thursday.

In his first appearance at a major the 38-year-old, who at 16 had a trial to play soccer with Manchester United, chipped in from the bunker on Royal Birkdale's par-five 17th and then completed his round by rolling in a 40ft putt.