Sandwich, England ? He’s a PGA Tour rookie who had not finished in the top 10 all year until his most recent tournament, which came at the right time because it made him eligible for the British Open at Royal St. George’s.

That was Kyle Stanley on Thursday.

It also was Ben Curtis in 2003, when the unheralded American won the claret jug.

Is there a repeat performance in the works? Stanley has a long way to go, and he played in the favorable conditions Thursday afternoon, but he still managed a 2-under 68 despite a bogey on the final hole.

“I didn’t expect to be here,” Stanley said. “But now I am, and I just hope I can take advantage of the opportunity.”

Stanley was still optimistic enough that he took his passport with him to the John Deere Classic last week in Illinois, which offered a British Open spot to the leading player among the top five who was not already eligible. Stanley thought he had to win, so he was disappointed when Steve Stricker birdied the last two holes for a one-shot victory.

Before long, he was on a charter flight to England for his first British Open. He has been able to do some laundry, although he had to buy some warm clothing in the pro shop.

“It took me a day to adjust, but I’m sleeping well, and I’m pretty tired in the evenings,” Stanley said. “So that’s good.”

The real adjustment comes on the links course of Royal St. George’s. Stanley, who went to college at Clemson, grew up in Washington state. He’s used to a little rain, but not on bumpy turf like a seaside links.

But he feels his game is in good shape for any kind of golf.

Ace of a recovery

Dustin Johnson felt his British Open chances slipping away, mostly because he couldn’t make a putt.

He got right back in the game with a shot that didn’t require a putt.

Coming off back-to-back birdies, Johnson hit a wedge from 161 yards that bounced hard toward the cup and vanished into the hole for an ace, the third of his professional career. He added another birdie on the 17th, then watched a par putt catch the lip on the 18th for an unlikely 70.

“Standing on 14, I wanted to make a few birdies and give myself a chance to get back in this thing,” Johnson said. “If you would have bet me money that I would be 1-under par standing on the 18th tee, I wouldn’t have taken it.”

The hole-in-one looked as though it might run some 20 feet by the hole. Ian Poulter said Johnson turned to him and said, “I don’t care, as long as it’s 4 inches under.”

Johnson tossed the ball into the gallery. He doesn’t get too excited about moments like this, and when someone asked if it was hard to calm down on the next tee shot, the laid-back Johnson stared back blankly.

“I’m not very excited,” he said. “I’m going to go home and sleep.”

Moments later, he showed a large lump on his neck, the produce of swollen glands. Johnson said he has an infection and began taking antibiotics on Wednesday. The finish was a good tonic in its own way.

Calc’s British

Mark Calcavecchia doesn’t get in any other majors anymore unless they’re of the senior variety. That makes him appreciate his annual trip to the British Open even more.

Not to say Calcavecchia still can’t play a bit. His 69 in Thursday’s opening round would have been a good score even if he wasn’t a member of the Champions Tour.