Golfer of the Day

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On Thursday morning, Royal Portrush opened its doors for the second time in six years to 156 Claret Jug contenders  – and the world-class field provided plenty of excitement for the hordes of fans who filled the grandstands and lined the fairways at The 153rd Open.

Strong winds and driving rain threatened to derail many a round early on Thursday afternoon – but plenty of birdie and eagle chances were still gleefully snapped up in their droves.

Here are three of the golfers who stood out most among the crowd:

Harris English

Nobody landed more birdies on day one than the 35-year-old American.

English started like a train, racing to three-under through four while back-to-back birdies on 6 and 7 wiped out two bogeys in an eventful front nine.

The PGA Championship joint runner-up took advantage of some kinder weather in the afternoon to temporarily take the solo lead, before a bogey on 14 dropped him back into a share on four-under.

An otherwise thoroughly impressive round.

Haotong Li

The Chinese star was one of only two players to finish the opening day bogey-free (the other being Justin Rose), with his flawless 67 giving him a share of the lead heading into round two.

After opening with four straight pars, Li sunk two birdies in three holes, on 5 and 7, to move into the red. He followed this up with another birdie on 10 and a final one on 17.

Li will have fond memories of The Open, having finished third on debut at Birkdale back in 2017.

Jacob Skov Olesen

The Amateur Champion of 2024 is appearing in just his second Open, having made his debut at Royal Troon last year.

But he made light of his lack of experience in golf’s original championship by ending the opening day in a share of the lead.

The Dane was the first of the leading quintet in the clubhouse as four birdies and an eagle cancelled out his two bogeys, including one on the 18th.