Day one of the 153rd Open Championship didn’t just bring competitive golf—it delivered full-blown theatre.
Between struggling favorites, inspiring underdogs, and even stories involving monks and rat poison, Thursday at Royal Portrush was anything but typical.
Rory McIlroy’s Return Comes with Frustration, Not Fireworks
There’s been a lot of buzz around Rory McIlroy leading up to this week, but his opening round didn’t live up to the hype.
While he certainly avoided a disaster like his infamous 79 back in 2019, his 70 wasn’t much to celebrate either.
Rory’s tee shots were the biggest issue—he didn’t find a single fairway until the ninth hole, and then didn’t hit another for the rest of the round.
In fact, he ranked 154th out of 156 in fairway accuracy.
What saved him? Remarkable short game skills and resilience.
Despite the struggles, he still managed to dip to three under at one point, scrambling from bunkers and bad lies with finesse.
But if he wants to contend, that driver needs a serious overnight fix.
Fitzpatrick Bounces Back from Rock Bottom to Share the Lead
Matt Fitzpatrick, who looked totally lost earlier this year, has come roaring back with a brilliant four-under 67 to grab a share of the lead.
Just a couple of months ago, he’d fallen from 8th to 85th in the world rankings and described March as his lowest point professionally.
Now? He’s making eagles, birdies, and bold statements.
An eagle on the second hole set the tone, and he kept momentum with birdies on the challenging 12th and 16th holes.
His performance was a shining light for English hopes to end a 33-year Open drought.
A Strong English Showing Brings Hope for a Home Winner
Fitzpatrick wasn’t the only Englishman in the mix.
Tyrrell Hatton carded a solid 68, fresh off a fourth-place finish at the US Open.
Veterans like Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, and Aaron Rai also stayed within striking distance, all posting 69s.
Meanwhile, local favorite Matthew Jordan joined the leaderboard with a 68 of his own.
Wild Stories Off the Fairways: Monks, Poison, and Missing Caddies
This Open isn’t just about the leaderboard—it’s about the backstories.
Take Christiaan Bezuidenhout, for instance.
The South African golfer once accidentally ingested rat poison as a child, later developed a stammer, and even served a doping ban related to medication for anxiety.
He’s now carded a remarkable 67.
Then there’s Harris English, whose caddie couldn’t travel to the UK due to a past conviction.
Eric Larson, who served a decade-long sentence for drug trafficking, was barred entry.
English’s putting coach stepped in as a last-minute replacement—and it worked well enough for a co-lead had it not been for a single bogey.
Also at four under? China’s Li Haotong, once hailed as a rising star in 2017, is back in form.
And let’s not forget Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, a former monk who credits his mental calm for a soaring eagle on the fifth and an impressive 68.
Scottie Scheffler Stays Calm and Closes Strong
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had everyone scratching their heads earlier this week when he admitted that winning tournaments doesn’t bring him much fulfillment.
But on the course, there was no lack of effort.
Scheffler birdied two of his last three holes to finish at two under—proof that he’s inching closer to cracking the links golf puzzle.
He later admitted he might’ve been too honest about his feelings, but stood by his perspective.
Bryson Bombs, Rahm Rages, and the Crowd Adds Drama
Bryson DeChambeau struggled mightily, shooting a painful 78 that included an air shot in thick rough—likely putting him on the wrong side of the cut.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm lost his temper when a fan whistled during his backswing, but still managed to shoot one under.
Phil Mickelson and Shane Lowry, both veterans of the game, hovered around that same score, while last year’s champion Xander Schauffele ended his day at even par.
From the unpredictable leaderboard to the off-course drama, the first day of the 2025 Open Championship had everything.
And if the rest of the tournament lives up to this wild opener, golf fans are in for quite the ride.