* Spaniard in early birdie blitz
* Jimenez races three shots clear (adds later details)
By Tony Jimenez
GULLANE, Scotland, July 18 (Reuters) - Popular Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez made a barnstorming start to the 142nd British Open on Thursday, rattling in five birdies in the first nine holes to seize an early three-stroke lead on a sunny morning at Muirfield.
The 49-year-old, who returned to competitive golf three months ago after breaking his leg in a skiing accident, opened with a dazzling birdie hat-trick in the third major of the season.
Jimenez's birdie at the first was something of a rarity.
Most of the early starters struggled at the 447-yard hole which was playing against the 10-mph winds and yielded two quadruple-bogey eights and the odd seven and six.
The cigar-smoking, Rioja-loving Jimenez is a crowd favourite all over Europe and he had the crowd on his side by the Firth of Forth after charging to five-under at the turn following further birdies at the fifth and ninth.
Fellow countryman Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Americans Dustin Johnson and Jimmy Walker and German Martin Kaymer were sharing second place on two-under.
Scotland's Lloyd Saltman and American Brooks Koepka were among the players to fall foul of the tricky first.
Saltman, playing in the opening three-ball of the day which teed off at 6.32 local time, made a woeful start as he launched his first two tee shots out of bounds.
Playing partner Peter Senior of Australia, appearing in his 19th Open, had the honour of striking the first shot of the championship but opened with a six.
The third member of the trio, Oliver Fisher of England, restored order with a solid par.
While light winds are predicted throughout the four days, tight, bone-hard fairways and penal, knee-high rough are expected to provide a stern test.
Defending champion Ernie Els was one-over-par after four holes and world number two Rory McIlroy opened with two regulation figures.
U.S. Open champion Justin Rose, partnering Els and American Brandt Snedeker, was level-par.
World number one Tiger Woods begins his title challenge alongside former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen at 14.44 local time. (Editing by Ed Osmond)
Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/UKGolfNews/~3/huh6cV-WSlw/golf-open-idUKL4N0FO14320130718
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