By the time play finally ended on Thursday night, there were five players tied for the lead at 4-under. Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, thanks to a very solid 68 in the early wave, is just a shot back. Rory McIlroy climbed into contention briefly, but three bogeys on his back nine dropped him to 1-under — so he still has some work to do.

McIlroy, playing with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood, is one of the early starters in Friday’s second round and sits just three shots behind the leaders overnight, with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler,

A thrilling 2025 golf season has reached its final major as The Open Championship continues its 153rd playing on Friday at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The oldest golf tournament in the world is back in Portrush for the first time in six years with the Claret Jug set to be awarded on site Sunday for just the third time in event history.