Staff WriterThe 153rd Open Championship teed off at Royal Portrush on Thursday with all the subtlety of a slap from a wet kipper – sideways rain, sneaky gusts, and sun that showed up just long enough to mock your sunscreen decisions.
In true links fashion, it was glorious chaos. And by sundown, five names—some familiar, some not—shared the clubhouse lead at four-under-par, as golf’s most unpredictable major reminded us all that Portrush doesn’t play favourites.
Fitzpatrick Flies, Olesen Arrives, and Li Lights It Up
Leading the early charge in the 153rd Open Championship was an unlikely but spirited gang of five: England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, China’s Haotong Li, America’s Harris English, South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout, and Danish dark horse Jacob Skov Olesen, all carding 67s.
Of the quintet, only Fitzpatrick owns a major title, and on Thursday, he played like a man determined to collect another. He eagled the 2nd hole, chipped in from downtown at “Calamity Corner” (that would be the 16th, for the uninitiated), and generally looked like a Yorkshire terrier let off the leash.
The 29-year-old even admitted, “I really like the golf course… it’s a great test,” which is polite golfer-speak for, “it didn’t chew my ankles off today.”
Haotong Li, who once disappeared from the elite radar like your car keys on a hangover Sunday, produced one of only two bogey-free rounds in the field.
Meanwhile, Harris English overcame a pre-tournament curveball—his caddie got visa-blocked like a dodgy nightclub punter—to join the leaders with six birdies and a grin that said, “Ain’t no travel ban gonna stop me.”
Bezuidenhout strung together three birdies and an eagle in the middle of his round, while Olesen thrilled the early risers with an eagle of his own at 12. A closing bogey had him muttering, “Obviously, annoyed… but it happens,” which, translated, means he knows he’s in the thick of it.
And thick it was. Forty-four players finished within four shots of the lead—proof that the 153rd Open Championship leaderboard is tighter than a tin of sardines in a hurricane.
Scheffler, Hatton and the Heavy Hitters Hover
Just one shot adrift sits a logjam of notables, including World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who spent much of his round inventing new flight paths off the tee (he hit just three fairways) but somehow scraped together a 68.
Sharing that three-under spot is England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who managed to keep both his temper and his golf ball in check.
His bogey-free back nine was a masterclass in composure, as he kept Portrush from provoking one of his famous meltdowns.
Also on 68 were Matthew Jordan and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, whose names might not trend yet, but whose scores certainly will if they keep this up.
One stroke further back at two-under sit a cadre of battle-hardened stars: Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, and defending Champion Golfer Brian Harman. Lurking at one-under is a major-winner mosh pit—Rahm, Lowry, Mickelson, García, Zach Johnson—ready to pounce when Portrush bites back.
Mickelson, 55 and as mischievous as ever, holed a bunker shot for par that had the gallery howling.
Rory’s Redemption Tour Begins
Of course, all eyes were going to be on Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman returned to Portrush not just as a hometown hero, but as the reigning Masters champion and Grand Slam chaser. And yes, the ghosts of 2019 were loitering by the first tee, wearing quadruple-bogey grins.
This time, McIlroy’s opening shot veered left—déjà vu—but stayed in bounds. A bogey start, yes, but a full nine strokes better than that infamous eight six years ago. That, folks, is what you call progress.
He bounced back with birdies at 2, 5, 7, and 10 to move to three-under, only to catch the bogey bug mid-back-nine. Still, he ground out a crucial birdie on 17 after a heroic escape from the rough and walked off 18 with a one-under 70.
He’s not leading, but he’s right there—and that’s all anyone really wanted.
An Irish Summer and a Packed Scorecard
Thursday’s weather ran the full links gauntlet—sun, rain, wind, rinse, repeat. “Irish summer in a nutshell,” one player muttered between swings and squeegees.
The unpredictability suited the setting and helped fuel the drama, but the slow pace of play didn’t go unnoticed.
Some groups flirted with six-hour rounds, prompting a few groans from players and spectators alike. The R&A’s call to have caddies rake bunkers instead of marshals. Tommy Fleetwood found an unraked footprint in a bunker and promptly lost a stroke—and a little faith in humanity.
Even Bryson DeChambeau provided a moment to remember, swinging with such ferocity in the rough on the 4th hole that he whiffed entirely. Yes, you read that correctly—whiffed. He shot a 78, by the way.
And then there was Padraig Harrington. The two-time Open champ and national treasure hit the very first tee shot of the 153rd Open Championship, split the fairway, and rolled in a birdie on the 1st. “It was very special,” Harrington said. “I got a little emotional when I was clapped on.” Pure class.
What’s Next?
With 30-odd players within three shots of the lead, changing skies, and a golf course with the teeth of a great white shark, the 153rd Open Championship is shaping up to be a proper scrap.
Underdogs are barking, big names are lurking, and the Claret Jug is still very much up for grabs.
So, buckle your waterproofs, check your forecast, and grab a pint—it’s only Day One, and the drama is just getting started.
At Royal Portrush, fortune favours the brave, the bold, and maybe the bloke who can find a fairway.
