The opening day of the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club was marked by challenging weather conditions, featuring rain and strong winds. These elements contributed to a lengthy first round, resulting in a five-way tie for the lead at 4-under-par. The leaders include Harris English, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li, and Christian Bezuidenhout.
Rory McIlroy, a local favorite, is also in contention, finishing the day at 1-under 70 despite a tough outing that saw him hit only two fairways. The World No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, sits close behind after posting a solid 3-under 68 while managing just three fairways. Notably, two-time major champion Jon Rahm is still in the mix, also shooting a 1-under 70, placing him three shots off the lead.
As the day progressed, conditions fluctuated; although the rain eased, the wind intensified, which extended the first round into the evening, concluding shortly after 9 p.m. local time. The second round is set to commence early Friday morning at 1:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. local time), promising to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the competition continues.
Despite the challenging conditions, golfers are demonstrating impressive performances and resilience, indicative of the competitive spirit that characterizes the Open Championship.