Rory McIlroy shot 1 under Thursday at Royal Portrush, a better start than the first time he played the British Open at the Northern Ireland course near home.

The top two golfers in the world are firmly in contention at The Open with Scheffler out in front entering another major championship weekend

Five golfers are on top of The Open Championship leaderboard after one round of play at Royal Portrush. Matthew Fitzpatrick, Harris English, Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li and Christaan Bezuidenhout all sit at four-under.

The first day of the Open was a grind, but many players did exactly what was needed. Others, not so much. We call 'em like we see 'em.

World number one Scottie Scheffler made a fine start to the British Open with a three-under par round at a rain-swept Royal Portrush on Thursday before home favourite Rory McIlroy began his tournament in front of huge crowds.

Rory McIlroy will be roared on in his homeland as the 153rd British Open gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday (Friday in Manila) as world number one Scottie Scheffler seeks his first Claret Jug.

For proof of this dynamic, look no further than the varied reactions to Scottie Scheffler's comments on Tuesday at Royal Portrush. His words revealed not a man searching for purpose, but one who had already found it—words that could help his fellow superstar return from an existential rut.

The last time the British Open came to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy missed the cut. Will he claim his second major of the year this time around?