PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — If anybody stepped to the first tee at Portrush with a powerful memory, it was Shane Lowry. He is, after all, the last player to win a British Open at Portrush, in 2019, and he’d been anticipating the emotions that would engulf him for that first tee shot this week for quite a while.

The second round of the British Open will begin at 1:35 a.m. (EDT) on July 18, when 2009 champion Stewart Cink, Matteo Manassero and Marc Leishman tee off.

Matt Fitzpatrick was asked on camera to rate his opening round at the 153rd British Open on Thursday. He smiled and didn’t have to think long.

Lowry feels “rejuvenated” and as prepared as he could be in his bid to become the first player to win consecutive British Opens at the same course since Tiger Woods at St. Andrews in 2000 and ’05.

The world’s top-ranked golfer is a shot off the first-round lead on a day with sunlight, rain, breezes and strong gusts at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Shane Lowry believes he’s figured out a formula to excel in the biggest tournaments, like this week’s British Open at Royal Portrush, where he won the Claret Jug in 2019.

The first round of the 153rd Open Championship began overnight Thursday at Royal Portrush Golf Club on the northern coast of Northern Ireland. This is the third time Portrush has hosted the year’s final major championship and the first time since 2019,

Shane Lowry didn’t know what to make of the mural at first. He doesn’t look at himself as someone worthy of being celebrated as a national hero.