It was a return six years in the making, and it was a return that perfectly encapsulated Rory McIlroy. Making the trek back to Royal Portrush for The Open Championship -- now as a career grand slam winner -- the Northern Irishman experienced a topsy-turvy day as the hard stuff came easy and the easy stuff came hard.

Scheffler leads on 10 under after superb 64 * England's Fitzpatrick one shot behind * China's Li, American Harman two adrift of leader * Erratic McIlroy still in contention at three under (Adds later details,

McIlroy scrapped on Thursday to end -1 and three shots behind the leaders, with Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton just one stroke back heading into Friday’s second round

The early wave has the advantage. Rain has arrived at Royal Portrush, just as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler hits the course. It's spotty around the course — it's pouring at 18, where Rory McIlroy is trying to finish — but clearly those already in the clubhouse — including leader Brian Harman — are the beneficiaries.

Two days after the eye-opening deep riff on the meaning of life that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler delivered in his pre-tournament press conference, he posted a 3-under-par 68 in the first round of the British Open Thursday at Portrush.

Matt Fitzpatrick poured it in and avoided one final setback to show the contrasting nature of what an Open Championship test requires. Yet barely a few minutes later, the scale of the task for Fitzpatrick and the rest of the field became ominously clear.

Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the site of Shane Lowry's triumph in 2019. As has been the case all year, the strong favorites entering the tournament are Scottie Scheffler (9/2) and Rory McIlroy (7-1).

Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1 golfer in the world, but even he doesn't really understand the fuss. Just two days before the year's final major tees off, Scheffler admitted he doesn't understand "the point" of becoming the best golfer in the world - or an elite professional in any sport,

Rory McIlroy remains in contention at The Open 2025 with the Masters champion ending at three under after a steady performance in Friday’s second round.The Northern Irishman remains a distance behind 2023 champion Brian Harman and China’s Haotong Li,