New Zealand golfer Steve Alker has fired a one-under par 69 in the first round of the British Open.

The performance at the Royal Lytham and St Annes course in Lancashire, England means he is tied for 22nd with 15 other golfers.

The 40-year-old Hamilton-based professional, who is New Zealand's sole representative in the tournament, started with a birdie and followed up with three pars before a double bogey on the par three fifth hole and a bogey on the sixth.

The back nine was immaculate with two birdies and the remaining holes were pars.

Australian Adam Scott leads after firing a six-under 64 to equal the lowest first round in 11 Opens at the course.

New Zealand caddie Steve Williams advised Scott to put more pressure on himself to perform well early after his first rounds of 76 at last month's US Open and 75 at the Masters, the Australian reported.

"We talked about that mindset because I was playing well at all the majors this year, but the first round I'm shooting myself in the foot a little bit and making it too much work to get back in it," Scott said.