There are several big names who need to go on a big run on Friday to even make the weekend, including Bryson DeChambeau. He fired a 7-over to drop down to the tail end of the leaderboard. Patrick Reed, Wyndham Clark, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka weren't much better, either.

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.

Rory McIlroy shot 1-under 70 in the first round of the British Open at Royal Portrush that is also serving as a homecoming for the Northern Irish star.

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.

Rory McIlroy will be roared on in his homeland as the 153rd British Open gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday as world number one Scottie Scheffler seeks his first Claret Jug.The world number three has not won a tournament since lifting the Claret Jug a year ago and has not even managed a top-five finish in 12 tournaments this year.

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.