2025-07-17T11:23:00.130Z<\/p>\n
MICKELSEN ENTERS CLUBHOUSE WITH A 70<\/p>\n
A very strong display from the six-time Major winner on his opening day at Royal Portrush.<\/p>\n
Three birdies and two bogeys, means he enters the clubhouse with a one-under 70.<\/p>\n
In other news, the rain is starting to fall again. This probably the heaviest it’s been so far today.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:15:23.692Z<\/p>\n
CO-LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE<\/p>\n
What a brilliant opening round by Jacob Skov Olesen, as he cards a 67 to currently co-lead this year’s Open Championship.<\/p>\n
This is his second Open, and hasn’t recorded a single professional victory yet during his career.<\/p>\n
It would be some story if he makes this week’s Major his first victory since turning pro in November 2024.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:11:02.554Z<\/p>\n
WESTWOOD KEEPS COMING<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Westwood, currently on LIV, hasn’t had a brilliantly season on the rival tour this year, currently sitting 45th in their individual standings.<\/p>\n
Form is temporary and class is permanent though, something which he is highlighting during this first round.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:05:01.556Z<\/p>\n
LIGHTNING, UH OH<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T11:04:03.585Z<\/p>\n
GOTTERUP PLAYING WELL<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It the American’s second PGA Tour victory at The Renaissance Club, and is making his debut in the Open Championship this week.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T10:59:35.779Z<\/p>\n
ANOTHER MAJOR FOR BROOKS?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Koepka has started well though, currently sitting at one-under, as he looks to win his sixth Major title.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T10:56:24.990Z<\/p>\n
THE CROWD GOES WILD<\/p>\n
He does it! Lowry moves to two-under as the crowd erupts around the 6th green.<\/p>\n
Morikawa follows suit, moving back to level-par. The cheer for the American is considerably quieter than the one for the Irishman, though.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T10:52:17.832Z<\/p>\n
LOWRY STILL GOING STRONG<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
2025-07-17T10:43:40.261Z<\/p>\n
OLESEN’S CHIP IN <\/p>\n
Jacob Skov Olesen extends his lead with a lovely chip-in! \ud83d\ude4c pic.twitter.com\/eiUvLKROvjJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:43:02.531Z<\/p>\n ECHAVARRIA STARTS QUICKLY<\/p>\n Nico Echavarria makes back-to-back birdies thru his first two holes and goes to a share of fourth in the leaderboard.<\/p>\n This is the Colombian’s first Open Championship.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:40:12.627Z<\/p>\n DEFENDING CHAMPION IN THE RED<\/p>\n Xander Schauffele is at one-under and going well at Royal Portrush.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:35:54.048Z<\/p>\n HARRINGTON FINISHES<\/p>\n The first three players are in the clubhouse.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Irishman’s playing partners did go well, as Nicolai Hojgaard finishes on two-under and local-man Tom McKibbin ends at level-par.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:33:13.663Z<\/p>\n MICKELSON DROPS BACK FURTHER<\/p>\n The American drops back to level-par following a second bogey on his back-nine.<\/p>\n He just missed the green right with his approach shot on the 14th and didn’t manage to get up and down.<\/p>\n Still, it’s a strong start for the LIV Golf star who won the Open in 2013 around Muirfield.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:30:53.382Z<\/p>\n RAHM GOING OKAY<\/p>\n The Spaniard is still level-par as he seeks his first Open Championship.<\/p>\n Rahm has enjoyed a great year on LIV so far, and is looking to win his first Major since his Masters success in 2023.<\/p>\n He just misses a birdie putt on the 4th.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:22:29.874Z<\/p>\n THREE BRITS GOING WELL<\/p>\n Matthew Jordan joins fellow compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick at two-under, as he birdies the 8th. Lee Westwood is still at three-under.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:19:57.597Z<\/p>\n OLESEN PUTT TO LEAD<\/p>\n Take a look at the putt Jacob Skov Olesen made to gain a solo-lead of the Open.<\/p>\n Jacob Skov Olesen holes a 40-foot eagle putt at the par-five 12th to take the lead at -4! \ud83d\ude4c pic.twitter.com\/lf7QdJNcerJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:14:59.056Z<\/p>\n LEADERBOARD STAYS THE SAME<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Tom McKibbin is still at level-par after bouncing back from his early two bogeys.<\/p>\n Padraig Harrington, too remains at four-over.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:10:48.489Z<\/p>\n SCHEFFLER AT ONE-UNDER<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T10:02:41.769Z<\/p>\n LOWRY BIRDIES<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:58:48.938Z<\/p>\n LI MOVES TO THREE-UNDER<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This is his first Open since 2022, with his best result in the Major coming in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, where he finished third.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:54:09.243Z<\/p>\n SCHEFFLER STARTS WELL<\/p>\n The World No.1 starts his day with back-to-back pars, as he seeks his first Open Championship success.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:50:25.843Z<\/p>\n HOJGAARDS AT THE RYDER CUP?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n How special would it be for him to be joined by his brother Rasmus, though. He tees off at 1.37pm<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:42:34.032Z<\/p>\n MICKELSON DROPS BACK<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He is still in the red though and is only three-shots off the lead.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:38:04.028Z<\/p>\n OLESEN EAGLE<\/p>\n Jacob Skov Olesen moves to four-under with a superb eagle at the 12th. It was a lengthy putt he had to hole to.<\/p>\n The lefty has a solo lead of the final Major of the year.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:35:23.907Z<\/p>\n PADRAIG STILL BACK IN THE LEADERBOARD<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:33:08.129Z<\/p>\n IT’S RAINING<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:28:42.839Z<\/p>\n WE HAVE A NEW LEADER<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Englishman, who qualified through final qualifying for the Major at Dundonald Links, is bogey-free from his first seven holes.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:25:19.690Z<\/p>\n LOWRY MISSES BIRDIE CHANCE<\/p>\n The Irishman’s putt just lips out as he opens his round up with a par.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He has the legendary Billy Foster on his bag this week too, and that definitely counts for something.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:23:12.059Z<\/p>\n HERBERT GOING WELL<\/p>\n The Australian is currently at two-under after back-to-back birdies.<\/p>\n No-one seems to be breaking that leading mark at the moment, though.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:17:50.021Z<\/p>\n LOWRY’S DRIVE<\/p>\n Looking to repeat his success in 2019 at Royal Portrush, Shane Lowry is under way. pic.twitter.com\/3vSwKySU4PJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:15:40.570Z<\/p>\n SOME DRIVE BY LOWRY<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Update: Lowry stiffs his approach shot to just above the hole, a great bridie chance incoming.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:11:16.094Z<\/p>\n WESTWOOD AND FITZPATRICK AT SHARE OF THE LEAD<\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n Matt Fitzpatrick also moves to two-under following a magnificent eagle on the 2nd.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T09:06:08.293Z<\/p>\n STAR-STUDDED GROUP OFF<\/p>\n The defending champion is away and is joined by 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm and this year’s US Open winner JJ Spaun.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He also hasn’t missed a cut all season. Quite a stat for someone who hasn’t been near his best form in 2025.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:58:48.957Z<\/p>\n WILL XANDER GO BACK-TO-BACK?<\/p>\n It’s nearly time for Champion Golfer of the Year Xander Schauffele to tee off.Watch Featured Groups on R&A TV.https:\/\/t.co\/7uqUg21ACi pic.twitter.com\/12jsYhwdl0July 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:57:50.367Z<\/p>\n MCKIBBIN DROPS AWAY<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:54:50.997Z<\/p>\n GRIFFIN, BHATIA AND STRAKA OFF<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n All three could go close this week, so is definitely a group to follow over the next two days.<\/p>\n Update: Griffin starts with a double-bogey. Maybe I spoke too soon.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:42:05.332Z<\/p>\n K J CHOI STRUGGLING<\/p>\n The South Korean man is currently eight-over-par thru 10 holes, which includes a triple bogey on the 6th.<\/p>\n This is the 55-year-old’s 16th Open Championship and hasn’t featured in the Major since 2014.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:38:36.984Z<\/p>\n OLESEN DROPS BACK<\/p>\n The Dane was bogey-free but falls back a shot following a dropped shot on the 8th.<\/p>\n This is Olesen’s second appearance at the Major. He finished T60 at Royal Troon last year.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:31:41.000Z<\/p>\n JORDAN SMITH IN THE RED<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Smith came second at the BMW International Open earlier in the month, so arrives at Portrush bang in form.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:27:34.788Z<\/p>\n MICKELSON MOVES TO SHARE OF THE LEAD<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He moves to two-under.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:21:00.445Z<\/p>\n SOME IMPRESSIVE OPEN RECORDS<\/p>\n Some of the greatest Open Championship records date a long way back.Which is the most impressive? pic.twitter.com\/gi1qXF9LxHJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:20:05.052Z<\/p>\n SKOV OLESEN JOINS THE TOP<\/p>\n The Danish player joins Hojgaard and McKibbin at the top with a two-putt birdie at the 7th.<\/p>\n Olesen is bogey-free today so far.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:19:35.207Z<\/p>\n ANOTHER STUNNER FROM MICKELSON<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He should two-putt for birdie and move to two-under.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:18:43.980Z<\/p>\n NIKE’S OPEN SHOES<\/p>\n The special edition Nike shoes are sure to get a lot of attention at Royal Portrush this week…<\/p>\n (Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n Read more: ‘A Subtle Act Of Rebellion’ – Nike Unveils Special Edition Open Championship Shoes<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:13:49.273Z<\/p>\n HARRINGTON LOST BALL<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Unlucky for the two-time Claret Jug winner who looks set to drop at least two shots and fall back to +4.<\/p>\n Update: He’s hit a beauty and will have less than 10ft to save bogey!<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:08:23.285Z<\/p>\n TROUBLE FOR HARRINGTON<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It doesn’t look good…he may have to walk back to the tee.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:06:49.464Z<\/p>\n THE SUN IS OUT<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n We may have some showers on the way but it’s nice and dry right now.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T08:00:29.096Z<\/p>\n MCKIBBIN TO -2<\/p>\n The home star, who is a member here at Portrush, has just birdied the 9th to go out in 34 and join the lead.<\/p>\n McKibbin was two-over after four but two birdies and an eagle over his next five have got him to two-under-par.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:40:09.820Z<\/p>\n NICOLAI HOJGAARD GOING VERY WELL<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A top-10, or better, would be huge for his hopes of becoming a Team Europe player for the second time.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:36:58.599Z<\/p>\n A REMINDER OF OUR STAFF’S PICKS FOR THE OPEN<\/p>\n (Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:36:09.020Z<\/p>\n HOW THE RANKINGS CURRENTLY LOOK<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:32:17.005Z<\/p>\n A REMINDER OF SOME OF THE BIG TEE TIMES TODAY:<\/p>\n BST (ET)<\/p>\n 9:58am (4:58am):\u00a0Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Jon Rahm10:09am (5:09am):\u00a0Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler2:48pm (9:48am):\u00a0Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose2:59pm (9:59am):\u00a0Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland3:10pm (10:10am):\u00a0Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:28:45.961Z<\/p>\n TOUGH START FOR KJ CHOI<\/p>\n The Senior Open champion has got off to a nightmare start after skying his opening drive 175 yards.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:25:07.233Z<\/p>\n MCKIBBIN EAGLE!<\/p>\n The home favorite has just made the first eagle of the 2025 Open at the 7th.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Dustin Johnson has also moved to -1 after a huge birdie putt on the 2nd.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:23:05.008Z<\/p>\n NICOLAI HOJGAARD SET TO MOVE TO -2<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Lee Westwood has just hit a beauty into the 1st to set up a great opening birdie look.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:21:03.296Z<\/p>\n MICKELSON MAGIC<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:13:05.121Z<\/p>\n WOW!<\/p>\n Phil Mickelson has just made an incredible par at the 3rd.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Stunning.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:08:00.264Z<\/p>\n PHIL MICKELSON JOINS THE LEAD<\/p>\n The 2013 Open champion is off to a strong start with a birdie at the par-5 2nd, where he holed from 9ft.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T07:04:10.371Z<\/p>\n EARLY\/LATE vs LATE\/EARLY<\/p>\n As things stand, it looks like today’s morning starters may have the best of it over the first two rounds.<\/p>\n It looks set to get wet this afternoon and windy tomorrow morning, with tomorrow afternoon looking calmer (but wet).<\/p>\n 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…<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:58:27.786Z<\/p>\n BIG PAR SAVE FOR HOJGAARD<\/p>\n The Dane holes a 20-footer at the 5th to stay on top of the leaderboard after finding the native area down the right.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:53:37.994Z<\/p>\n DARREN CLARKE UNDERWAY<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:50:20.817Z<\/p>\n TOUGH PIN ON 5<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:40:21.557Z<\/p>\n HARRINGTON DROPS BACK<\/p>\n The two-time Claret Jug winner has just had back-to-back three-putts to fall back to +1.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:37:50.378Z<\/p>\n RYAN PEAKE UNDERWAY<\/p>\n Get to know Ryan Peake’s incredible story better with these facts<\/a><\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:25:19.632Z<\/p>\n SKOV OLESEN WITH A BOMB AT THE 1ST<\/p>\n Former amateur champion Jacob Skov Olesen holes a monster putt from the left side of the 1st green to make birdie on the opener.<\/p>\n He joins countryman Nicolai Hojgaard atop the leaderboard after Harrington dropped a shot at the 3rd.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:24:00.861Z<\/p>\n SCHEFFLER vs MCILROY <\/p>\n Some fascinating insights from Clippd…<\/p>\n (Image credit: Clippd)<\/p>\n Read more: Scheffler vs McIlroy: The stats comparing the world’s top two players<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:23:02.466Z<\/p>\n JASON DAY’S JAZZY CARDIGAN…<\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:17:34.615Z<\/p>\n ONE PAR OUT OF NINE<\/p>\n The first nine players through the 1st have made one birdie, one par and seven bogeys. Ouch.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:12:19.351Z<\/p>\n OUT OF BOUNDS<\/p>\n We have our first OOB tee shot of the championship as Taylor Pendrith pulls it way left off the 1st with a fairway wood.<\/p>\n He’s going to need to reload.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:10:15.042Z<\/p>\n NICOLAI HOJGAARD BIRDIES THE 2ND<\/p>\n He joins playing partner Padraig Harrington atop the early leaderboard at one-under after a 4 at the par-5 2nd.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:02:36.547Z<\/p>\n HARRINGTON’S OPENING BIRDIE<\/p>\n First tee shot. First birdie of the day.Padraig Harrington is off to a strong start. pic.twitter.com\/2KocjHdbcuJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:01:46.239Z<\/p>\n SCENES AT THE 1ST<\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T06:00:55.832Z<\/p>\n TOUGH START FOR CAM SMITH<\/p>\n In group 3, the 2022 Open champion hits a quick hook off the 1st and finds the thick stuff.<\/p>\n Marco Penge also pulls an iron up the left as amateur Justin Hastings gets his championship underway with a beauty.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:55:09.363Z<\/p>\n KJ CHOI DID NOT REACH THE 1ST FAIRWAY<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:52:31.898Z<\/p>\n PADRAIG HARRINGTON BIRDIE!<\/p>\n The Irishman rolls in a 20-footer to make the first birdie of the 2025 Open!<\/p>\n A stunning start from Harrington. There will not be too many birdies at the 1st today.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:51:50.976Z<\/p>\n MCKIBBIN BOGEYS<\/p>\n The LIV Golf player has dropped a shot at the 1st aftger playing it as a three-shotter following his pulled tee shot.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:51:19.278Z<\/p>\n JASON DAY DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:49:32.166Z<\/p>\n WE’VE GOT SOME DRIVERS<\/p>\n After the opening group all hit irons off the 1st, Oosthuizen, Migliozzi and Choi all take driver.<\/p>\n Nobody has gone out of bounds…yet.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:47:05.395Z<\/p>\n THE BREEZE IS UP<\/p>\n We’ve got a 20mph wind right now and it’s cold, so it’s certainly a tough start for these early morning competitors.<\/p>\n We’ve got Louis Oosthuizen, Guido Migliozzi and KJ Choi up next.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:44:37.028Z<\/p>\n HARRINGTON HITS A BEAUTY INTO THE 1ST<\/p>\n Into a 19mph wind and uphill from around 200 yards, the Irishman sets up a birdie putt of around 20ft.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:43:44.039Z<\/p>\n DIFFICULT OPENER<\/p>\n The 1st at Portrush is among the most difficult first holes in The Open<\/a>, with out of bounds both right and left before a green that has some severe slopes just short.<\/p>\n The 430 yarder is also into a 15mph wind this morning so it’s playing long, too.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:41:35.122Z<\/p>\n OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY<\/p>\n The opening tee shot of The 153rd Open. pic.twitter.com\/rRZokRqF8MJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:39:43.128Z<\/p>\n THE QUEUE AT 5.45AM… THE OPEN IS UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE<\/p>\n 5.45am queue for The Open. pic.twitter.com\/qPAMeWQhzNJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:38:44.059Z<\/p>\n WE’RE UNDERWAY!<\/p>\n A packed 1st tee grandstand (at 6.35am in the morning!) cheers as Padraig Harrington finds the fairway with an iron.<\/p>\n Nicolai Hojgaard does the same with a low, penetrating draw into the wind and Tom McKibbin just finds the thick rough down the left.<\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:32:06.216Z<\/p>\n TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST<\/p>\n Weather forecast for the first round of The Open Championship pic.twitter.com\/6xPf7KDzqFJuly 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-17T05:28:43.501Z<\/p>\n HARRINGTON’S EARLY WAKE-UP CALL<\/p>\n The earliest alarm of the year for Harrington, who is surely buzzing to get the action underway this morning…<\/p>\n Earliest wake up, so far this year. \u2066@TheOpen\u2069 \u2066@DPWorldTour\u2069 \u2066@PGATOUR\u2069 pic.twitter.com\/fkna9ms8A2July 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-07-16T15:51:19.959Z<\/p>\n GOOD MORNING<\/p>\n Hello wherever you are in the world and welcome to our coverage of the 2025 Open.<\/p>\n We have the 1st tee shots being struck in less than 10 minutes’ time, with Padraig Harrington getting the championship underway.<\/p>\n It’s a stacked line-up as always with tee times running all the way from 6.35am local time up until 4.10pm.<\/p>\n![\"'A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/xz27hC3TxEpnZeMUZ33RyW.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Golf](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gnbQFL4bhjmZpt3zNgsYV.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/R7gv3DtYk7xK5xak5USi7Q.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/tASGyvBjfmtp82jUovoJ9A.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/miWsZna2rf3oLhu9tsSBVP.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Padraig](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/S9NUUmdP7ciX2Rz4cEt2AR.jpg\")
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