The Open Leaderboard, Live Updates: Rory McIlroy Begins First Round As Matt Fitzpatrick Among Three-Way Share Of Lead At Royal Portrush

LEFT AT THE SECOND

Fleetwood finds the fairway at the par 5 second and will have a good chance to go for the green in two.

McIlroy, after his opening bogey, opens the shoulders with his drive, but it goes left and into the second cut. Last up is Thomas and, with a driver in hand, he is in the right rough.

BOGEY FOR RORY

After producing a good second shot from the thick rough, which finds the right-side of the green, McIlroy then produces a good lag putt to just three-feet.

It seems it'll be an opening par, but the testy putt slides by the left-side and it's an opening bogey. On the bright side, it's three better than the quadruple bogey eight he made here in 2019.

In the group, Thomas makes a big mistake with his first putt from off the green, as it doesn't make it down the hill. Eventually, Thomas makes bogey, while Fleetwood two putts for his par.

BIRDIES GALORE

After his tee shot at the 16th, Scheffler converts to get to two-under. Along with the American, Hatton birdies the par 5 second to get one-under for his round.

CLASSY FROM SCOTTIE

The World No.1 hasn't had his best stuff today, but Scheffler produces an outrageously good tee shot at the par 3 16th, with the approach finishing a few feet from the flag. He'll have that to move to two-under-par.

WE'RE OFF

RORY'S OPENING SHOT

Rory McIlroy makes his way on to the first tee with rapturous applause from the home crowd! He is alongside Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood in the marquee group of the day.

First on the tee is McIlroy, who finds the second cut on the left-side. It may not be straight, but it's a lot better than his tee shot in 2019!

His round is underway, with Thomas finding the center of the fairway via a 3-wood, while Fleetwood follows the American with a strongly-hit 2-iron.

NOW ON THE TEE... RORY McILROY

FITZPATRICK FINISHES WITH A 67

Fitzpatrick two-putts the 18th hole for a par and a four-under first round of 67. That puts him into a share of the lead with Olesen and Li, who also finished four-under a few hours earlier.

ANOTHER BUMPER GROUP GET UNDERWAY

Jordan Spieth starts his first round with an excellent tee shot down the left-side of the opening fairway. Ludvig Aberg, another player tipped to go well this week, pulls his tee shot left and into the fairway bunker.

Last on the tee is Aberg's Ryder Cup teammate, Viktor Hovland, who hits his fairway wood down the left-side of the fairway, well back of Spieth and Aberg.

SUPERB FROM RAHMBO

Rahm has hit 12 of 15 greens today and, playing the par 3 16th, named 'Calamity', the two-time Major winner plays a delightful approach to 15-feet. He has a great chance to get to two-under-par.

BRYSON ON THE TEE

Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Rose are on the first tee, with MacIntyre finding the right-side of the fairway with driver.

DeChambeau is up next and, with a fairway wood in hand, the big-hitting American finishes in the first cut to the left. Rose, who is another player being well-backed this week, strikes his tee shot with driver to the left-side of the fairway.

GARCIA MAKES A STRONG START

Garcia qualified for The Open Championship via the LIV Golf points list and, through the front nine, the Spaniard has made a great start. He has just birdied the par 5 seventh to move to three-under, one back of the leaders.

FITZPATRICK JOINS THE LEADERS WITH A SLAM DUNK

HATTON GETS UNDERWAY

Tyrrell Hatton has been fancied by many to contend this week at Royal Portrush, with the Englishman getting his round underway via a slightly pulled tee shot at the first. It finishes in the first cut, so should be no problem for Hatton.

Playing alongside Russell Henley, who finished T5 in The Open last year, the American finds the center of the fairway with a wood in hand. Min Woo Lee is the final player in the group, and he hits a 2-iron into the left rough.

JON RAHM UNHAPPY WITH A FAN

This was from earlier on the 11th...

JASON DAY ON THE NORTHERN IRISH WEATHER...

"The weather here is the craziest weather pattern I've ever experienced in my life. There's no consistency to it whatsoever. I mean, I'd love to be a weatherman here. You just get it wrong all the time."

'I THINK RORY'S MADE THAT TEE SHOT A LOT SCARIER' - TOM MCKIBBIN

I THINK IT HAS STOPPED RAINING

Conditions seem much calmer now which should help scoring, albeit we definitely have more rain on the way according to the weather map.

JACOB SKOV OLESEN WHAT'S IN THE BAG?

We take a look at the equipment used by the clubhouse leader, who has new irons in the bag.

SKOV OLESEN'S SWING

A look at the Open co-leader's swing earlier in the week on the range at Portrush. It's a beauty...

WHERE EVERY OPEN VENUE RANKS IN OUR TOP 100

DARREN CLARKE: 'YOU'D THINK I'VE NEVER PLAYED HERE BEFORE'

"You'd think I've never played here before, some of the places I hit it to," he said after his 75.

"That's frustrating. I know you can't hit it short of the 3rd. I know you can't hit it right on 7. I just hit it a few places that you cannot hit it here. I know better.

"Unfortunately, I just did. Then I couldn't really borrow a putt to go with it. It was a tricky day, could have been worse. Just got to play better tomorrow."

DAVID HOWELL'S FUNNIEST OPEN MEMORY...

SCHEFFLER BOGEY

The World No.1 is back to one-under after dropping a shot at 11 following that wayward tee shot.

Weather update: it's still coming down

DANIEL BROWN CHIP-IN

Last year's Open hero Daniel Brown has just chipped in for birdie at the 6th to move back to level-par after an earlier double.

SCHEFFLER CHOPPING OUT OF THE ROUGH

The World No.1 found trouble down the right of 11 - like we're seeing with many players - and just about manages to chop it out of the cabbage and back onto the fairway.

His 3rd shot from 187 yards finds the left side of the green to leave a 40-footer for par.

LEE WESTWOOD CARDS A 69 (-2)

The Englishman makes a regulation par at the 18th to finish at two-under-par.

Brilliant effort from the 52-year-old.

SCHEFFLER TO TWO-UNDER

The World No.1 hit a trademark, stunning iron shot into the 10th, which had plenty of run on it but checked perfectly pin high to within 6ft. He manages to roll it home.

RAHM UNHAPPY WITH A FAN

"Whistling right on my back swing?" Someone definitely put Jon Rahm off on his 11th tee shot, which flies deep into the thick rough.

He's currently one-under-par.

FITZPATRICK TO -3

The Englishman rolls in a nice 15-footer on the 12th to move to three-under and within one.

Lee Westwood holes from around 10ft on 17 to save his par and stay two-under.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON ON HITTING THE 1ST TEE SHOT AND SHOOTING 75 (+4)

"I hyped up the tee shot as much as I could so when I got there today, it wasn't too bad," he said.

"I was decently comfortable when I got on the tee. Obviously didn't try for too much, hit a nice smooth 3-iron down there, held the pose a little bit.

"I got a little emotional when I was clapped on, and then I calmed down, and I was kind of fine when I was hitting it. Obviously after that, I don't know through the start maybe there was a little bit of hype in it, the three-putting 3 and 4, I just struggled.

"Three three-putts in the first seven holes, it just kills you when you're always thinking about your pace as you're standing over the ball, you're always questioning your lines.

"Yeah, it was a tough day on the greens, and it just ate into my game. Might have been a little bit of the fact that I was hyped up for the 1st tee box. Who knows?

"Certainly felt like I played better, could have played better, should have played better, scored better."

DARREN CLARKE CHIP-IN

The home hero chips in on 17 for birdie and then pars the 18th to post a four-over-par round of 75.

GREAT START FOR SADOM KAEWKANJANA

The Thai star, who has three Asian Tour wins and was T11 at St Andrews in 2022, has got off to a flyer today.

He birdied the 2nd before driving the 5th and holing his 23ft eagle putt to move up to three-under.

OLESEN RATES HIS ROUND 9/10 AFTER BOGEY ON 18

LI ENTERS CLUBHOUSE AT FOUR-UNDER

Haotong LI enters the clubhouse with a very impressive four-under.

He currently has a share of the lead with Jacob Skov Olesen, after carding a bogey-free 67.

Not bad for his first Open Championship in three years.

CLARKE CHIPS IN

Okay, now that's the largest cheer of the day!

2011 Open Champion and home-grown hero, Darren Clarke, chips-in on the 17th as he birdies the par-4 to get back to four-over.

How great it would be to see this man make the cut this week.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

It's still raining unfortunately, although not as heavy. At least the thunderstorms have stayed away, for now!

HORRIBLE ROUGH

Two instances in the last few minutes where we have seen examples of how treacherous the rough is at Royal Portrush.

JJ Spaun doesn't reach the green after finding the thick stuff to the right on the 9th, while Xander Schauffele's ball goes flying off the green, on the same hole. It's so hard to control the ball when coming out of the rough here.

One rule around Portrush, don't miss the fairway!

OLESEN'S ROUND IN NUMBERS

JORDAN and LI MOVE TO SHARE LEAD

Matthew Jordan and Haotong LI move to the share of the lead with Jacob Skov Olesen.

Jordan makes it three birdies on the bounce on the 12th, whereas LI birdies the 17th, to continue an impressive bogey-free round.

Lee Westwood, who was at four-under, drops a shot to be in solo fourth, after bogeying the 14th.

LATER TEE-TIMES

Here's a reminder of some of the eye catching tee-times in todays afternoon session.

• 2:37pm (9:37am): Russell Henley, Tyrrell Hatton, Min Woo Lee
• 2:48pm (9:48am): Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose
• 2:59pm (9:59am): Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland
• 3:10pm (10:10am): Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood

SCHEFFLER MOVES TO TWO-UNDER

The American makes a comfortable birdie at the par-5 7th, following a simple up-and-down.

Shane Lowry couldn't sink his putt though, as he remains at two-under.

The waterproofs are no firmly on for all players, as the Irishman finds the rough off the tee on the 8th.

EUROPEANS LEADING THE WAY

The top of the leaderboard is stacked full of Europeans, with some of its biggest names, including, Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry, at two-under.

Fellow Ryder Cup hopefuls Matt Fitzpatrick and Nicolai Hojgaard, who is now in the clubhouse, both also sit at the same number.

LOWRY'S SECOND BIRDIE

Take a look at Shane Lowry's second birdie of the day at the 6th.

He currently has yet another birdie putt to come at the par-5 7th.

MICKELSEN ENTERS CLUBHOUSE WITH A 70

A very strong display from the six-time Major winner on his opening day at Royal Portrush.

Three birdies and two bogeys, means he enters the clubhouse with a one-under 70.

In other news, the rain is starting to fall again. This probably the heaviest it's been so far today.

CO-LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE

What a brilliant opening round by Jacob Skov Olesen, as he cards a 67 to currently co-lead this year's Open Championship.

This is his second Open, and hasn't recorded a single professional victory yet during his career.

It would be some story if he makes this week's Major his first victory since turning pro in November 2024.

WESTWOOD KEEPS COMING

The Englishman moves to four-under, as he continues his bogey-free round with a birdie at the par-5 12th. He now shares the lead.

Westwood, currently on LIV, hasn't had a brilliantly season on the rival tour this year, currently sitting 45th in their individual standings.

Form is temporary and class is permanent though, something which he is highlighting during this first round.

LIGHTNING, UH OH

Lightning has been reported in the area, although a reported 40miles away. Let's hope it stays away and the Major can continue without any stoppages.

GOTTERUP PLAYING WELL

Last week's Scottish Open winner, Chris Gotterup, is backing up his strong performance here at Royal Portrush, as he moves to two-under on the 11th.

It the American's second PGA Tour victory at The Renaissance Club, and is making his debut in the Open Championship this week.

ANOTHER MAJOR FOR BROOKS?

The American gets incredibly unlucky at the par-5 7th, as his approach shot - which looked good - just leaks off the back of the green.

Koepka has started well though, currently sitting at one-under, as he looks to win his sixth Major title.

THE CROWD GOES WILD

He does it! Lowry moves to two-under as the crowd erupts around the 6th green.

Morikawa follows suit, moving back to level-par. The cheer for the American is considerably quieter than the one for the Irishman, though.

LOWRY STILL GOING STRONG

Lowry's not shying away is he, as he stiffs his tee shot on the 191-yard par-3 6th. Another birdie putt will come the way of the Irishman.

His playing partner Collin Morikawa follows suit, who hasn't started as well, currently sitting at one-over. He doesn't look at his best so far. There's still a long way to go though, and we all know how good he can be on his day.

OLESEN'S CHIP IN

ECHAVARRIA STARTS QUICKLY

Nico Echavarria makes back-to-back birdies thru his first two holes and goes to a share of fourth in the leaderboard.

This is the Colombian's first Open Championship.

DEFENDING CHAMPION IN THE RED

Xander Schauffele is at one-under and going well at Royal Portrush.

He makes lightwork of the par-4 5th, driving the green with a 335-yard drive. He narrowly missed the eagle putt, tapping in for a comfortable birdie.

HARRINGTON FINISHES

The first three players are in the clubhouse.

Padraig Harrington who stripped his drive on the first to get the Championship underway, eventually making a brilliant three, ends on four-over. Work to do tomorrow if he wishes to make the cut.

The Irishman's playing partners did go well, as Nicolai Hojgaard finishes on two-under and local-man Tom McKibbin ends at level-par.

MICKELSON DROPS BACK FURTHER

The American drops back to level-par following a second bogey on his back-nine.

He just missed the green right with his approach shot on the 14th and didn't manage to get up and down.

Still, it's a strong start for the LIV Golf star who won the Open in 2013 around Muirfield.

RAHM GOING OKAY

The Spaniard is still level-par as he seeks his first Open Championship.

Rahm has enjoyed a great year on LIV so far, and is looking to win his first Major since his Masters success in 2023.

He just misses a birdie putt on the 4th.

THREE BRITS GOING WELL

Matthew Jordan joins fellow compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick at two-under, as he birdies the 8th. Lee Westwood is still at three-under.

Meanwhile Olesen stretches his lead out in front as he moves to five-under with a chip-in birdie at the 15th. The Dane is four-under for his back-nine.

OLESEN PUTT TO LEAD

Take a look at the putt Jacob Skov Olesen made to gain a solo-lead of the Open.

LEADERBOARD STAYS THE SAME

Not a lot of movement at the top of the leaderboard with Jacob Skov Olesen still leading the way, with Lee Westwood and Haotong LI just behind.

Tom McKibbin is still at level-par after bouncing back from his early two bogeys.

Padraig Harrington, too remains at four-over.

SCHEFFLER AT ONE-UNDER

I was watching the practice round yesterday and something the commentators picked up on was that the American isn't always the finest looking player on the range. But, when it comes to the tournament he looks world-class. And he is.

The three-time Major winner moves to one-under after a birdie at the 3rd, and bombs a drive down the 4th. Scheffler looks like he is dialled in.

LOWRY BIRDIES

Shane Lowry looks like a man on a mission as he birdies the 2nd at Royal Portrush. He hasn't had his best year, but he has the crowd right behind him at a golf course he loves.

Will he repeat his success in 2019? Don't count him out, he has started absolutely brilliantly, as he now has a very makeable birdie putt on the 3rd.

LI MOVES TO THREE-UNDER

Haotong LI birdies the 10th as he climbs the leaderboard at three-under. He is also bogey-free and is enjoying a great opening round so far.

This is his first Open since 2022, with his best result in the Major coming in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, where he finished third.

SCHEFFLER STARTS WELL

The World No.1 starts his day with back-to-back pars, as he seeks his first Open Championship success.

This follows his interesting interview earlier in the week. If you haven't seen it, make sure to give it a watch. His words weren't what you would expect from the world's best golfer.

HOJGAARDS AT THE RYDER CUP?

Nicolai Hojgaard would love to be at Bethpage Black this September and he is definitely going the right way about it. He finished T4 at last week's Scottish Open and is currently going well at two-under today. He may not be a bad pick for this week.

How special would it be for him to be joined by his brother Rasmus, though. He tees off at 1.37pm

MICKELSON DROPS BACK

Lefty drops a shot at the 11th following a poor tee shot finding the right-hand rough. His second shot followed the same suit and the American has had to take his medicine.

He is still in the red though and is only three-shots off the lead.

OLESEN EAGLE

Jacob Skov Olesen moves to four-under with a superb eagle at the 12th. It was a lengthy putt he had to hole to.

The lefty has a solo lead of the final Major of the year.

PADRAIG STILL BACK IN THE LEADERBOARD

After his opening birdie, the two-time Claret Jug winner is still at four-over, with four holes to play. How special was it watching him hit the first tee shot this morning.

IT'S RAINING

The brollies are up around Portrush, as the rain begins to set in. It won't be constant but spells of showers are expected throughout the first day.

WE HAVE A NEW LEADER

I asked earlier if it would be this man's week... and Lee Westwood has moved to three-under for an early solo lead of the Open.

The Englishman, who qualified through final qualifying for the Major at Dundonald Links, is bogey-free from his first seven holes.

LOWRY MISSES BIRDIE CHANCE

The Irishman's putt just lips out as he opens his round up with a par.

Morikawa has to contend with a bogey after finding the thick rough with his tee-shot, only managing to hack the ball out with his second. I like the American's chances this week, but he has to putt well, something he doesn't do as often as he would like.

He has the legendary Billy Foster on his bag this week too, and that definitely counts for something.

HERBERT GOING WELL

The Australian is currently at two-under after back-to-back birdies.

No-one seems to be breaking that leading mark at the moment, though.

LOWRY'S DRIVE

SOME DRIVE BY LOWRY

The 2019 Open Champion is off and running and will be looking to repeat his past success around Portrush this week. It was some reception he received when he walked onto the first tee too.

The Irishman smashes his drive down the middle of the fairway. His playing partners Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa, 2021 Champion Golfer of the Year, both miss the fairway.

Update: Lowry stiffs his approach shot to just above the hole, a great bridie chance incoming.

WESTWOOD AND FITZPATRICK AT SHARE OF THE LEAD

52-year-old Lee Westwood is still Major-less, but moves to two-under early on at Royal Portrush, and is tied for the lead. Could this be his week?

Matt Fitzpatrick also moves to two-under following a magnificent eagle on the 2nd.

STAR-STUDDED GROUP OFF

The defending champion is away and is joined by 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm and this year's US Open winner JJ Spaun.

Xander Schauffele has struggled this year for his high standards, but seemed to be near his best last week at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he finished T8.

He also hasn't missed a cut all season. Quite a stat for someone who hasn't been near his best form in 2025.

WILL XANDER GO BACK-TO-BACK?

MCKIBBIN DROPS AWAY

It's been an up-and-down round for the Northern Irishman so far, who drops back to level-par following a double bogey at the 11th.

GRIFFIN, BHATIA AND STRAKA OFF

This is a tee time I really like. Both Griffin and Straka have won twice on the PGA Tour this season, yet the latter has missed the cut in all three Majors so far. The same can not be said for the American though, who came T8 at the PGA Championship and T10 at the US Open.

Bhatia has struggled as of late, who's best finish is T3 at the Players Championship this season, however is a tremendous talent and has got a beautiful golf swing.

All three could go close this week, so is definitely a group to follow over the next two days.

Update: Griffin starts with a double-bogey. Maybe I spoke too soon.

K J CHOI STRUGGLING

The South Korean man is currently eight-over-par thru 10 holes, which includes a triple bogey on the 6th.

This is the 55-year-old's 16th Open Championship and hasn't featured in the Major since 2014.

OLESEN DROPS BACK

The Dane was bogey-free but falls back a shot following a dropped shot on the 8th.

This is Olesen's second appearance at the Major. He finished T60 at Royal Troon last year.

JORDAN SMITH IN THE RED

A lengthy put on the 6th for the Englishman makes that back-to-back birdies as he moves to one-under, following a bogey on the 1st.

Smith came second at the BMW International Open earlier in the month, so arrives at Portrush bang in form.

MICKELSON MOVES TO SHARE OF THE LEAD

A missed eagle chance for the LIV man on the par-5 7th leads to an easy tap-in birdie and a share of the lead.

He moves to two-under.

SOME IMPRESSIVE OPEN RECORDS

SKOV OLESEN JOINS THE TOP

The Danish player joins Hojgaard and McKibbin at the top with a two-putt birdie at the 7th.

Olesen is bogey-free today so far.

ANOTHER STUNNER FROM MICKELSON

The 2013 Open champion has found the par-5 7th in two big blows and he has a decent look at eagle to move clear at the top of the leaderboard.

He should two-putt for birdie and move to two-under.

NIKE'S OPEN SHOES

The special edition Nike shoes are sure to get a lot of attention at Royal Portrush this week...

Read more: 'A Subtle Act Of Rebellion' - Nike Unveils Special Edition Open Championship Shoes

HARRINGTON LOST BALL

Harrington did indeed lose his tee shot down the right of the 10th despite marshalls standing nearby and a good dozen people trying to find it. That's how brutal the rough can be in places.

Unlucky for the two-time Claret Jug winner who looks set to drop at least two shots and fall back to +4.

Update: He's hit a beauty and will have less than 10ft to save bogey!

TROUBLE FOR HARRINGTON

The Irishman has pushed his tee shot down the right of the 10th and he's got a lot of helpers trying to find his ball in the cabbage.

It doesn't look good...he may have to walk back to the tee.

THE SUN IS OUT

Conditions definitely look a little more favorable now at Royal Portrush, with the sun breaking through the clouds and the wind seeming to calm a little - for now.

We may have some showers on the way but it's nice and dry right now.

MCKIBBIN TO -2

The home star, who is a member here at Portrush, has just birdied the 9th to go out in 34 and join the lead.

McKibbin was two-over after four but two birdies and an eagle over his next five have got him to two-under-par.

NICOLAI HOJGAARD GOING VERY WELL

The Dane, who only got into the field last week via his Scottish Open T4, is bogey-free after seven holes and has another birdie look on 8.

It's a huge week for the 2023 Ryder Cupper, as he is currently well outside of he qualification spots and ranked down in 94th in the OWGR.

A top-10, or better, would be huge for his hopes of becoming a Team Europe player for the second time.

A REMINDER OF OUR STAFF'S PICKS FOR THE OPEN

HOW THE RANKINGS CURRENTLY LOOK

A REMINDER OF SOME OF THE BIG TEE TIMES TODAY:

BST (ET)

• 9:58am (4:58am): Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Jon Rahm
• 10:09am (5:09am): Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler
• 2:48pm (9:48am): Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose
• 2:59pm (9:59am): Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland
• 3:10pm (10:10am): Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood

TOUGH START FOR KJ CHOI

The Senior Open champion has got off to a nightmare start after skying his opening drive 175 yards.

The Korean legend is six-over after six holes after bogeying three of his first five...before taking a triple-bogey at the par-3 6th. It looks like he got caught up in some thick rough and then, as every bad hole goes, he three-putted.

MCKIBBIN EAGLE!

The home favorite has just made the first eagle of the 2025 Open at the 7th.

After finding the par-5 green in two, he holes from arounf 15ft up the hill and back down again to move to one-under-par.

Dustin Johnson has also moved to -1 after a huge birdie putt on the 2nd.

NICOLAI HOJGAARD SET TO MOVE TO -2

The Dane has just hit a gorgeous chip shot up the green on the 7th to a couple of feet. That'll be a tap-in birdie to move to two-under.

Meanwhile, Lee Westwood has just hit a beauty into the 1st to set up a great opening birdie look.

MICKELSON MAGIC

WOW!

Phil Mickelson has just made an incredible par at the 3rd.

The left-hander's ball was plugged in the pot bunker and he failed to get it out. His next shot was simply sensational, flopping it up and cutting it in from the right to find the bottom of the cup.

Stunning.

PHIL MICKELSON JOINS THE LEAD

The 2013 Open champion is off to a strong start with a birdie at the par-5 2nd, where he holed from 9ft.

EARLY/LATE vs LATE/EARLY

As things stand, it looks like today's morning starters may have the best of it over the first two rounds.

It looks set to get wet this afternoon and windy tomorrow morning, with tomorrow afternoon looking calmer (but wet).

But saying that, it certainly is not easy this morning. The wind is very strong and it amazes me that this is summer in the UK...

BIG PAR SAVE FOR HOJGAARD

The Dane holes a 20-footer at the 5th to stay on top of the leaderboard after finding the native area down the right.

The signature hole at Portrush is drivable today but a tricky pin and some wayward tee shots mean that the opening group fail to make a birdie.

DARREN CLARKE UNDERWAY

The Portrush man, who hit the opening tee shot here in 2019, gets a huge ovation from the 1st tee grandstand as he pipes a drive down the middle.

TOUGH PIN ON 5

The 5th is driveable today and David Howell admits on Sky Sports that Harrington joked with him that the greenkeeper would have been fired for a pin this difficult back in their days.

HARRINGTON DROPS BACK

The two-time Claret Jug winner has just had back-to-back three-putts to fall back to +1.

RYAN PEAKE UNDERWAY

Get to know Ryan Peake's incredible story better with these facts

SKOV OLESEN WITH A BOMB AT THE 1ST

Former amateur champion Jacob Skov Olesen holes a monster putt from the left side of the 1st green to make birdie on the opener.

He joins countryman Nicolai Hojgaard atop the leaderboard after Harrington dropped a shot at the 3rd.

SCHEFFLER vs MCILROY

Some fascinating insights from Clippd...

Read more: Scheffler vs McIlroy: The stats comparing the world's top two players

JASON DAY'S JAZZY CARDIGAN...

ONE PAR OUT OF NINE

The first nine players through the 1st have made one birdie, one par and seven bogeys. Ouch.

OUT OF BOUNDS

We have our first OOB tee shot of the championship as Taylor Pendrith pulls it way left off the 1st with a fairway wood.

He's going to need to reload.

NICOLAI HOJGAARD BIRDIES THE 2ND

He joins playing partner Padraig Harrington atop the early leaderboard at one-under after a 4 at the par-5 2nd.

HARRINGTON'S OPENING BIRDIE

SCENES AT THE 1ST

TOUGH START FOR CAM SMITH

In group 3, the 2022 Open champion hits a quick hook off the 1st and finds the thick stuff.

Marco Penge also pulls an iron up the left as amateur Justin Hastings gets his championship underway with a beauty.

KJ CHOI DID NOT REACH THE 1ST FAIRWAY

The Korean produced just 135mph of ball speed with his opening drive and popped it straight up into the sky 176 yards. He has been forced to chop it out of the rough and back up the fairway.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON BIRDIE!

The Irishman rolls in a 20-footer to make the first birdie of the 2025 Open!

A stunning start from Harrington. There will not be too many birdies at the 1st today.

MCKIBBIN BOGEYS

The LIV Golf player has dropped a shot at the 1st aftger playing it as a three-shotter following his pulled tee shot.

JASON DAY DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION

The Aussie is warming up on the putting green prior to his tee time and he is dressed as you might have come to expect him to. I'm sure we'll get some shots of what is a bold cardigan.

WE'VE GOT SOME DRIVERS

After the opening group all hit irons off the 1st, Oosthuizen, Migliozzi and Choi all take driver.

Nobody has gone out of bounds...yet.

THE BREEZE IS UP

We've got a 20mph wind right now and it's cold, so it's certainly a tough start for these early morning competitors.

We've got Louis Oosthuizen, Guido Migliozzi and KJ Choi up next.

HARRINGTON HITS A BEAUTY INTO THE 1ST

Into a 19mph wind and uphill from around 200 yards, the Irishman sets up a birdie putt of around 20ft.

DIFFICULT OPENER

The 1st at Portrush is among the most difficult first holes in The Open, with out of bounds both right and left before a green that has some severe slopes just short.

The 430 yarder is also into a 15mph wind this morning so it's playing long, too.

OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY

THE QUEUE AT 5.45AM... THE OPEN IS UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE

WE'RE UNDERWAY!

A packed 1st tee grandstand (at 6.35am in the morning!) cheers as Padraig Harrington finds the fairway with an iron.

Nicolai Hojgaard does the same with a low, penetrating draw into the wind and Tom McKibbin just finds the thick rough down the left.

TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST

HARRINGTON'S EARLY WAKE-UP CALL

The earliest alarm of the year for Harrington, who is surely buzzing to get the action underway this morning...

GOOD MORNING

Hello wherever you are in the world and welcome to our coverage of the 2025 Open.

We have the 1st tee shots being struck in less than 10 minutes' time, with Padraig Harrington getting the championship underway.

It's a stacked line-up as always with tee times running all the way from 6.35am local time up until 4.10pm.