When the Open returned to Royal Portrush in 2019, a great deal of ink was spent explaining why it hadn’t visited Northern Ireland in 68 years.

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A thrilling 2025 golf season has reached its final major as The Open Championship continues its 153rd playing on Friday at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The oldest golf tournament in the world is back in Portrush for the first time in six years with the Claret Jug set to be awarded on site Sunday for just the third time in event history.

Golf nourishes itself with low-hanging narratives, those saccharine, feel-good tales about lives redeemed or neighborhoods rejuvenated thanks to the royal and ancient game.

World number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark shot a serene four-under-par 67 to take the early British Open first-round lead in tough conditions at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

The 153rd edition of the British Open is underway at Royal Portrush. Padraig Harrington of Ireland had the honor of the opening tee shot. That was a fitting choice.

In 2019, it was the first-ever sold-out Open. It was a hugely significant moment for Northern Ireland after a troubled past.

The world's best golfers began chasing eagles and birdies on Northern Ireland's Atlantic coast but hawks were only interested in seagulls as the 153rd British Open began on Thursday.