PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Jacob Skov Olesen is the surprise co-leader of the 153rd British Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Former PGA Tour pro Johnson Wagner apologized to the British Open crowd after skulling a shot into the grandstand during a live demo.

Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are offering reminders that the British Open doesn't discriminate against older players.

The final major of the season is here. Follow along for live updates, scores, highlights and more from the first round of the 2025 British Open.

SportsLine golf expert Brady Kannon just locked in his PGA Tour best bets for the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club

The British Open at Royal Portrush started Thursday the way the last one ended: A packed grandstand and throaty cheers for an Irish golfer. Padraig Harrington, a two-time Open champion, hit the opening shot of the 153rd edition of golf's oldest championship with a piercing iron into the wind off the North Atlantic,

British Open tickets are available on marketplace sites, including StubHub. However, the only official place to buy tickets for golf's final major is TheOpen.com. Fans can sell their unwanted tickets through the official Resale Platform throughout the tournament.

McIlroy, despite his uneven performances in the P.G.A. Championship and U.S. Open, will be among the favorites this week in his native country, as will Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, and Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world. Here are five other players to watch.

Padraig Harrington struck the first tee shot as the 153rd British Open started in cloudy conditions at Royal Portrush on Thursday. Ireland's Harrington, twice the Open champion, was playing with Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin.