It's Open Week

The wait is over and The 148th Open at Royal Portrush is finally here.

It’s been 12 months since Francesco Molinari lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie to become Champion Golfer of the Year for the first time but it’s been 68 years since The Open was last played in Northern Ireland.

Max Faulkner triumphed at Portrush back in 1951 and the battle to follow in Faulkner’s footsteps is now underway after the gates were thrown open to the public at 9am this morning.

For golf fans, Open Week is undoubtedly the best week of the year and after four Practice Days – where you can watch the world’s best begin to get to grips with the Dunluce Links – Championship Day 1 will begin early on Thursday morning.

Seventy-two holes of drama are guaranteed as the likes of three-time Champion Golfer Tiger Woods, home favourites Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell and world No.1 Brooks Koepka all look to dethrone Molinari.

And by Sunday evening, golf’s original Championship will have its latest Champion Golfer to join the pantheon of greats.

It’s sure to be quite the ride at Royal Portrush.