Latest updates from the opening day of the 153rd Open
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Here we go, then … and the two-time winner Padraig Harrington steps up to hit the first shot of the 153rd Open Championship. Despite everything he’s done in the game – and he’s the brand-new Senior US Open champion – he looks pensive, approaching nervous. David Lancaster, the official starter, welcomes him to the tee. Out of bounds left and right. But what’s the worry? He clips an iron straight down the middle, after which his face melts into a huge smile. His playing partners Nicolai Højgaard and local lad Tom McKibbin take their turns – the latter finding the thick stuff down the left – and four days of glorious links-infused nonsense stretch out in front of us. Here we go, then!
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the 153rd Open Championship. Xander Schauffele, who saw off Billy Horschel, Justin Rose and Thriston Lawrence at Troon last year, is the defending champion … and yet because this edition will be contested on the links of Royal Portrush in County Antrim, it kind of feels like Shane Lowry, the winner here in 2019, is defending too. Hey, we don’t write the rules, it just does.