It feels like the longest day of golf, and the first round of opening in 2025 witnesses all kinds of weather. There are sunshine and showers, rain and heavy rain, breeze and gusts.
Thankfully though – we didn’t get the predicted thunderstorm.
The day ends at 6.30am and ends at around 10pm, and we have five golfers sharing the lead after 4 seconds below 67 seconds: Jacob Skov Olesen in Denmark, Haotong Li in China, Matt Fitzpatrick in England, Matt Fitzpatrick, Matt Fitzpatrick, South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout and American Harris in English.
Scottie Scheffler is a leader, Rory McIlroy three times three.
Of course, there is actually a long way to go – actually three rounds – but, from the first part of becoming a 2025 champion golfer of the year, who are the winners and losers?
winner
Padrag Harrington
The two-time open-ended champion admitted he was nervous before he beat the champion’s first shot and he became even more nervous soon after 6 a.m.
“I left the range about 20 minutes before serving time and I could see the stands and it was empty,” he said. “I was like, ‘I thought that would satisfy.’ Then I saw people line up to come in. They haven’t got anyone in yet.
“By the time we got there, the stands were full, the first fairway was full, the first green was full. The second shot hit me, clutching the buzz of the putter. It was very exciting, and those crowds were spectacular at that hour in the morning.”
Portrush and fans
Cameron Smith told many, “It seems like there are a lot of open routes that are great, but the town isn’t really involved, and everyone in Porthush is so happy to bring you here.
“And the fans are great. I love these fans. They are polite. They know a bad shot. Sometimes you hit a really good shot at 30 feet, 40 feet, and maybe some fans don’t understand. These guys know it’s a great shot.”
Rory McIlroy
They were the victory for minors, but they still won. He didn’t stand out from the first tee. He doesn’t need four putts on the 16th green. He didn’t shoot a shot and blow him away from the game. Yes, he has a poor kick-off rate, but he can attack the lead on Friday, not just hope to advance like he did in 2019.
Jacob Skov Olsen
Dane, who won the amateur title at Ballyliffin 12 months ago, cleared the love of the world. He hit a brilliant 67 to set an early pace.
His victory last year invited the Masters to play in the Augusta National, but he lost after turning around. He still has tickets for Monday’s practice day, but the stormy weather prevented him from stepping onto the property. He hopes he can finally get there.
大全
The Chinese player missed his last three layoffs at the Open, but he finished third in his 2017 title debut at Royal Birkdale, opening his own account this week with 67 points.
Matt Fitzpatrick
The British had a very stable record at the Open (nine starts, eight cuts), but his best result was an incredible T20. But the result was indeed at 2019 Royal Porthush, whose 67-year-old opened the lap beat his last round of 69 season (2017 Royal Birkdale).
Harris English
The 35-year-old, who has three top 10 in the U.S. Open, won the T12 in the PGA Championship this year.
He has played in the last two games with Hie regular caddie Eric Larsen, but has been denied his visa due to his 10-year jail sentence. This week, English had Ramon Bescansa put on his bag and ran well in the first round. He spent most of his time under 5 times before finishing with a lead.
Read more: Revealed: Three giant radar picks for 2025 glory
Shane Lowry
The Irish admits it’s difficult to return to the venue where he won 2019, but his 70 is a good start. “I’m very happy,” he said.
“I’ve been fighting in my mind for a few weeks. I know it’s not easy. I feel like I managed to handle myself well. The crowd is great. Everything in this game is great.”
Lee Westwood
The 52-year-old Briton made his first major championship appearance in three years and returned in 69 rounds. “I love the Open, I love Porthush,” he said.
“I’ve been here for a long time. It’s one of the golf courses, and if it’s not public, some people say you want to play Porthush this weekend, I might have gone. There aren’t many golf courses like this.”
Scottie Scheffler
No. 1 in the world has not won the Open, but he has always made a good start. This is his fifth appearance, and he has been finishing the first round in the top 20. He maintained this trend with 68 points this year.
Phil Mickelson
His first 70 rounds of first rounds were his first breaking 72 times in the Open (12 rounds) since 2018, and he is expected to advance to the major for the first time this year.
loser
Ryan Peake
This is not a good start for former tribute member Ryan Peake from New Zealand.
“I was just beaten up,” he said, saying after the opening of 77 that this may not be the best word for men who attack time.
Wyndham Clark
It’s not a few days for the 2023 U.S. Open champion. He won the championship with a 76 shortly after he was banned from Oakmont Country Club at Oakmont Country Club after smashing lockers during last month’s U.S. Open.
Robert MacIntyre
A small loser. The Scots were fantasized by many this week that Nick looked good when eight times under 3 strokes. But he lim shrank home and completed a level 71, which made him frown.
Jordan Spieth
Americans like to be public. He never missed a layoff, and his last nine games all scored in the first 30 years, he had five top 10 and won the championship in 2017. But his 73 times were the one he needed most in the first round of all 11 visits.
Read the next article: Seven lowest scores ever
