Shane Lowry feels he "managed to handle" himself well during his first round of the 153rd Open Championship at Portrush on Thursday.

After starting his Thursday with an eagle on the second hole en route to a first-round 67, Matt Fitzpatrick is right at the top of the British Open leaderboard. A four-under start at Royal Portrush is nothing to sneeze at,

World number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark shot a serene four-under-par 67 to take the early British Open first-round lead in tough conditions at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

The Open Championship begins Thursday morning at Royal Portrush with the best golfers in the world vying for the final major of the season in Northern Ireland. This 2025 Open will result in some early mornings -- or late nights, depending on your vantage point -- for fans stateside if they hope to keep up with their favorite players.

So it came as a bit of a jolt for American audiences who woke up Thursday morning to see Lee Westwood near the top of the leaderboard at the British Open. (Also up there: Phil Mickelson, who outdueled Westwood in 2010 at the Masters. Fifteen years ago.)

Former Open champion Phil Mickelson served up some of the old magic as the American veteran opened with an impressive one-under 70 at rain-hit Royal Portrush on Thursday.

Irishman Padraig Harrington teed off The 153rd Open and was the first one to notch a birdie on the day, generating some noise from the Northern Ireland crowd.

The 1st hole at Royal Portrush is not just controversial, it's just plain difficult. And led to some carnage Thursday morning at the Open.

It was fun on the fairways in Portrush as tens of thousands flocked to the north coast to see the world’s top golfers tee off on the first day of The Open. The crowds included actor James Nesbitt, US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.

The Offaly star had his highs and lows in a tough first round of The Open but was very pleased all round to be under par heading into Friday

Royal Portrush greens fees have nearly doubled in recent years. Here's what it costs to play the 2025 Open Championship host course.