It’s the final Major of the year as the world’s best golfers bid for the Open Championship at Royal Troon.
You can follow all the action right here over the next few days.
Irish in action:
Shane Lowry -5 (9.47am)
Pádraig Harrington +1 (9.03am)
Tom McKibbin +2 (11.47am)
Liam Nolan (A) +6 (10.53am)
Darren Clarke +6 (8.36am)
Rory McIlroy +7 (3.10pm)
Brian Keogh caught up with him after his round and you can catch up on that here.
All Irish eyes will be on Shane Lowry after his brilliant opening round of 66. Lowry was initially the clubhouse leader but was over-taken by England’s Daniel Brown who shot a 65, giving him an overnight lead.
Lowry is back in action at 9.47 this morning with Darren Clarke out at 8.36 and Padraig Harrington teeing off at 9.03.
Day One as it happened
What better place to prepare for a test like this. We’ll be right here bright and early in the morning and we’ll see you then.
“It was enjoyable,” he said after his round.
“I got off to an iffy start, but holed a few nice par putts and then I got off and running.”
“I’m very happy with it. It was nice to birdie the last and lovely to finish like that then.”
“I’ve been at home for the last three weeks. I came here (to Troon) two weeks ago to do a bit of preparation for this. It’s all about feel (in links golf)”
Re-live that birdie on the last here.
Scottie Scheffler has just birdied the last, signing off for a measured round of 70, leaving him four back and dangerous.
He’s bidding for a second Claret Jug and he’s got off to the perfect start with a bogey-free round.
The putter caught fire for the five birdies but it also dug him out with a few crunch par saves. His long-game was also on-the-money as, according to Andrew Coltart “he fell in love with Royal Troon.”
Chants of Olé Olé Olé are again ringing around the grand-stand. It’s only Thursday but the Offalyman means business.
He’s falling in love with Royal Troon says Andrew Coltart. Lowry hits one of his best approach shots of the day – and there have been a few – giving himself a six footer for birdie on eighteen.
He’s missed a few chances in recent holes but holing this would leave them all firmly in the rear-view. He’s getting a great reception as he walks up to the green, with cheers of Olé Olé Olé ringing around the grand-stand. There must be a few Irish there, there could even be a few Offaly jerseys!
Scottie Scheffler is in trouble back on seventeen and looks set to drop a shot.
Having steamed its way through the first twelve holes, Shane Lowry’s putter has gradually ran out of steam. He misses the 12 footer for birdie but crucially there’s no damage done and he remains on -4 with one to play.
He’s pin-high and will have a thirteen footer for birdie. He measured it perfectly and it fed in lovely towards the flag.
Opportunity coming up.
That’s a solid finish from the two-time champion who had a shaky start bogeying the first two holes.
He got back on track with a brilliant back nine and is well in the mix after round one, just five back from Lowry.