The 153rd Open Championship commenced at 6:35 a.m. local time on Thursday as two-time champion Padraig Harrington struck the opening tee shot on Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links and immediately rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt to reach one under par and take the early lead. Playing partners Tom McKibbin and Nicolai Højgaard found rough off the first tee, with McKibbin settling for bogey. The return of the championship to Portrush for the first time since 2019 is expected to draw roughly 270,000 spectators to the Antrim coast. The par-71 layout, stretched to 7,337 yards, will test a field that includes defending champion Xander Schauffele, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Masters winner Rory McIlroy and 2019 Portrush victor Shane Lowry. Lowry is scheduled to begin at 10:09 a.m., while McIlroy tees off at 3:10 p.m. Organisers note that each of the past 25 Open winners have been within five shots of the lead after the first round, underscoring the importance of Thursday’s play. Tournament officials anticipate brisk winds and possible showers later in the week, conditions traditionally pivotal in determining who lifts the Claret Jug on Sunday.