'Better every year'

No matter how many times you have played in The Open, the thrill of featuring in one never dims.

The unique challenges which make it such a true test of ability, character and temperament mean no two days are ever the same. 

The contrast between the final practice day and the opening day of competition only served to illustrate the point.

In place of Wednesday’s sunshine came a Thursday of downpours, gusty winds and grey skies – which brightened in the afternoon, for good measure.

The rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of anyone inside Royal Portrush, whether they had a club in their hands or not.

In fact, it was some of the most experienced players on show who reflected particularly warmly on just what it means to line up in this Championship.

Darren Clarke is a man who hails from this land of giants. He met Rory McIlroy on his 10th birthday here in 1999, while he practiced with the other two Northern Irish players in the field, McIlroy and Tom McKibbin, earlier this week.

He also knows what it takes to hoist the Claret Jug – something he did in unforgettable fashion at Royal St George’s 14 years ago.

Now in his 33^rd Championship, each one remains a privilege.

“It is bigger and better," he said. "The whole build-out for the event is bigger and better. It's getting better every year, The Open.

“It's great to see. We had bad weather last time (Royal Portrush in 2019). It looks like we're going to have iffy weather again. The fans are still going to come and watch.

“It's been brilliant. I really enjoyed it. I've been holding out for two weeks. I've been down here practising a lot, hitting putts, doing everything. It's great. I love getting home.”

Clarke had the honour of starting The 148th Open and this time the honour went to Padraig Harrington, another man steeped in the rich history of this Championship.

The two-time Champion Golfer made a birdie on the opening hole, just as Clarke did six years ago, in front of packed fairways, with spectators undeterred by early alarm calls.

This was their chance to be part of history. A moment they wouldn’t miss. Harrington was grateful they did – after overcoming an initial misunderstanding.

“I came off the range about 20 minutes before my tee time, and I could see the grandstand, and it was empty,” he said.

“I was like, I thought this was going to be full. But as I came up and over, I could see people queueing for a long line to get into it. They hadn't let anybody in.

“It was very special, I've got to say. It's a great honour to do it.

“Hitting that second 3-iron into 15, 18 feet and holing the putt was a serious buzz. It was very exciting, and the crowds were spectacular at that hour of the morning. It was really great.”

You do not have to be from the island (should this have a capital I?) of Ireland to appreciate the beauty of Royal Portrush and links golf more generally.

Phil Mickelson grew up in San Diego but, over the course of 30 visits, has had to work tirelessly to conquer whatever mother nature has to throw at him.

He did so most memorably in 2013, when he lifted the Claret Jug at Muirfield, and there were signs of his old genius on Thursday – a chip-in from the bunker on the 3rd saved his par and he finished in the red on one-under-par.

“Winning The Open in 2013 was the greatest accomplishment in my career because I had to learn a style of golf that I didn't grow up playing,” he said.

“It is the greatest source of pride for me as a player to overcome those obstacles. Now I have come to really love it, enjoy it, and I seem to play well in some of the adverse conditions too.

“This is unique. It is a sign of a complete player to be able to win in all the conditions of the majors that they provide.”