Three former Open champions, and each one well over the age of 40, are among the top-10 on the leader board after the first day of the 2013 Open.

The trio of past Claret Jug winners include Mark O’Meara (aged 56) who shot a four under par 67, fellow American Tom Lehman (aged 54) shot a three under par 68 and 2004 Open winner Todd Hamilton (the baby of the trio at 47) signed off for a 69.

O’Meara defeated Canadian Brian Watts at Royal Birkdale to win the 1998 Open and while the American continues to be overlooked as a Hall of Famer, he rekindled that winning form of 15 years ago in continuing sun-splashed conditions to the east of Edinburgh.

Mark O’Meara turns back the clock on day one of the 2013 Open.

O’Meara had five birdies and capped his round with a 17th hole eagle to be sharing second place and just one behind fellow Masters champion, Zach Johnson.

“Do I think I can? When I play like I did today, yeah, I think I can,” said O’Meara.

“I didn’t feel like I was 56 out there. I felt like I was 32. I’m not saying one round makes a tournament, because it doesn’t. But there are times when I feel like I’m a better player than I was maybe 15 years ago.

“I’m no spring chicken, but the quality of the shots that I hit out there today – I would say that’s as good as I played when I was in my prime.”

But does he really think he can win it?

“I hope my wife thinks I’ve got a chance of winning, because I’m building a new house,” he joked.

O’Meara’s replica Claret Jug, as well as his Masters trophy from the same year, are his most prized possessions, and he admitted he hides the Open trophy when he leaves for long trips.

“When I picked it up the other day to put it somewhere special in my house, I realised that, no matter what happenes for the rest of my life, my name is on the trophy at least once,” he said.

“Whether it will happen again, that would be a dream come true.”

With fellow American Tom Lehman – two years his junior – carding a 68, it proved a good day for the fiftysomethings.

“One for the old farts,” O’Meara said.

As the sun beat down and Muirfield’s undulating greens became quicksilver-fast, there was some sniping from some of the favourites for the tournament, particularly about pin placings.

O’Meara said they should stop complaining.

“I’m not a big fan of guys who whine a lot. I just don’t see any reason for it,” he said. “Especially today’s generation, they’re so talented.

“The greens got pretty quick for an Open championship but I didn’t see it being unfair. Links golf is not just about bombs away, hit the ball long and play it up in the air.

“It’s about creativity, shot process, thinking about where you need to land the ball.”