Rory McIlroy shot 1 under Thursday at Royal Portrush, a better start than the first time he played the British Open at the Northern Ireland course near home.

Well, aside from the fact that you probably wouldn’t know most of them if they were sitting right next to you … they’re all leading the British Open at -4 after the tournament’s first day at Royal Portrush.

Rory McIlroy will be roared on in his homeland as the 153rd British Open gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday as world number one Scottie Scheffler seeks his first Claret Jug.The world number three has not won a tournament since lifting the Claret Jug a year ago and has not even managed a top-five finish in 12 tournaments this year.

Five players tied for the lead at 4-under 67, the largest logjam after 18 holes of the British Open since there was a six-way tie in 1938.

HOME HERO: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland made a late birdie for a 70 and was three shots behind. The last time he played the British Open at Royal Portrush, he made an 8 on the first hole, shot 79 and wound up missing the cut.

Five golfers are on top of The Open Championship leaderboard after one round of play at Royal Portrush. Matthew Fitzpatrick, Harris English, Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li and Christaan Bezuidenhout all sit at four-under.

By the time Rory McIlroy finished his first practice round for the British Open at Royal Portrush, a big crowd that weathered rain and sunshine was waiting to see him finish.

It's the 2025 British Open Championship, where 156 of the world's best players are tackling Royal Portrush in hopes of capturing the coveted Claret Jug and being named Champion Golfer of the Year.