Harrington’s back-to-back victories
It was seventeen years ago in 2008 that Padraig Harrington had the honour of winning the Open Championship for a second successive year which was the first for a European. And although the Irishman is now 53 years old, he is still invited to play in the Open along with other formidable players from over the decades. Harrington even had the great honour of teeing-off first at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland yesterday. His final score was maybe not entirely to his satisfaction but even so he has given a lot of inspiration to many other young golfers as well as the world leaders in golf who are tackling the links course in County Antrim over the next few days.
So who is leading the last Major of the season?
Well, that honour goes to a group of players including a 26-year old from Denmark named Jacob Skov Olesen who turned professional in 2024. The left-handed player opened with a birdie and then made three more including an eagle at the par-5 12th which saw him soar to the top of the leaderboard. However, two bogeys also had their impact on Oleson who finally had to settle for a share of the lead on 4-under par 67.
In fact, there were four other players who shared the number one spot on the first day: Matt Fitzpatrick (England), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (South Africa), Haotong Li (China), who did not have a single bogey on his card, and American Harris English.
The 35-year old American caused quite a stir after he made back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th holes to get to 5-under par and so snatch the outright lead. Alas, a bogey at the 15th saw him take a dip to 4-under par and so eventually share the lead.
The Brits are also proud of Matt Fitzpatrick who opened with a 67 which included a tremendous eagle at the par-5 second. One shot behind Fitzpatrick was England’s Matthew Jordan who carded a delightful 3-under par 68.
McIlroy battles for sixth Major title
Winner of the first Major of the season, the Masters, Rory McIlroy, has been longing to play at Royal Portrush which is a home venue for the Northern Irishman. Could he add a sixth Major to his collection? Well, a short putt slipped past the hole at the first for a bogey start but then the 36-year old cracked-on with three birdies on the first nine followed by two on the back nine which were alas blighted by three bogeys. However, McIlroy’s one-under par play was truly enhanced by some great chipping. McIlroy is playing with Tommy Fleetwood (England) and Justin Thomas (USA) so it will be an exciting game again today.
All eyes were firmly fixed on Xander Schauffele at Royal Portrush as the American teed-off in defence of his 2024 Open title. Yet the 31-year old from California got-off to a rather slow start with three birdies and three bogeys for a level par round of 71.
The World Number One golfer, Scottie Scheffler, got off to an awkward start with a drive which was pulled left into the rough. But that was not a problem for the 29-year old player at the first hole as he effortlessly made a solid par. Five birdies were followed by two bogeys for a 3-under par 68 which included a very impressive 2, 3, 4 finish: birdie, birdie, par.
After months of glorious sunshine and heatwaves, the weather at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland was rather subdued on day one with some rain falling upon the players some of whom were dressed-up in woolly hats and carrying umbrellas. Luckily the rain stopped in the afternoon. Fingers-crossed it’ll stay dry over the next few days as there is a lot of exciting golf to see!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Back-to-back winner of the Open in 2007 and 2008, Padraig Harrington from Ireland. MINIS (l-r): Jacob Skov Olesen, Shane Lowry, Scottie Scheffler and Harris English.