There's been a big change at the British Open that has caddies and players perplexed. The R&A has decided to not longer have assigned greenkeeping crews with each group to rake the bunkers.

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.

Former champion Brian Harman climbed to the top of the second-round leaderboard at the British Open as home favourite Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.

Golf fans will never (ever) be able to hit a golf ball like Rory McIlroy, but they can at least try to practice chipping like the five-time major champ this week. Well, the way he practiced long (long) before he was ever even a one-time major champ.

HOME HERO: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland made a late birdie for a 70 and was three shots behind. The last time he played the British Open at Royal Portrush, he made an 8 on the first hole, shot 79 and wound up missing the cut.

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.

It's the 2025 British Open Championship, where 156 of the world's best players are tackling Royal Portrush in hopes of capturing the coveted Claret Jug and being named Champion Golfer of the Year.

Rory McIlroy puts Portrush demons to bed as push for sixth major title begins - The struggles of 2019 are but a distant memory