The Open Championship: Action gets underway at Royal Portrush

The 153rd Open Championship begins today with many of the 278,000 spectators expected to visit Royal Portrush over the course of the week hoping for one thing - another Rory McIlroy major victory

McIlroy began another year with the ambition of completing a career Grand Slam, but a return to his home Open at Royal Portrush was the one week he was really looking forward to.

The 36-year-old ended his 11-year wait to add a Masters green jacket to his collection back in April.

Now he wants to make up for missing the cut in 2019 at the famous North Coast course.

"When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was probably circled even more so than the Masters, for different reasons," he said.

"It's lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that's happened this year."

McIlroy tees off at 3.10pm, alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood and American rival Justin Thomas in potentially the worst of the weather with thunderstorms forecast for early in the evening.

McIlroy's main rival Scottie Scheffler, the only man ahead of him in the world rankings, won the US PGA Championship in May.

The three-time major champion remains the one to beat according to bookmakers despite The Open being his weakest of the four premier events, with last year's joint-seventh at Royal Troon only his second top-10 in four starts.

That isn't something that concerns the 29-year-old.

"I couldn't care any less about being the favourite or not being the favourite. We all start even par on Thursday. That's pretty much all that matters," said the American, who is out in the morning alongside 2019 champion Shane Lowry and 2021 winner Collin Morikawa at 10.09am

"I think it links golf fits my strengths, because I like to do things very creatively. I guess one of the weaknesses would just be it's a little bit fresh.

"My first time playing links golf was when I was a professional, I never came over and played as an amateur. I feel like I'm learning more and more each time I come over here."

Xander Schauffele, whose major breakthrough came last year with US PGA and Open wins, doesn't class Portrush as a title defence. He feels it's a completely different course to Troon in 2024.

"I think a blank canvas is a great place to start. You can paint many different pictures to win a tournament. You've just got to do the right one," he said.

HARRINGTON GET THINGS UNDERWAY

Two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington appreciates the honour of being asked to get the tournament at Royal Portrush underway, but insists the ceremonial duty will not dull his competitive edge.

The R&A traditionally give the first shot, scheduled for 6.35am on Thursday, to a player they believe deserves the recognition, but isn't necessarily considered a contender.

Harrington, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008 and at 53 would be the oldest winner if he were successful this week, doesn't agree with that sentiment.

"I still think I'm a player, but I'm quite happy to take the ceremonial position of hitting the first shot. It will be nervewracking."

"I have to create my own reality and in my reality I can win. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, I think I can do it.

"I have to prepare like I'm coming down the 18th on Sunday and have to hit a couple of great shots to win The Open.

SATURDAY TEE-TIME CHANGE

Meanwhile, some timings at The Open on Saturday are to be adjusted to accommodate a loyalist band parade, organisers of the golf tournament have said.

Some 77 marching bands and 2,000 people are expected to attend the Portrush Sons of Ulster parade from 8.30pm to 11pm around Portrush town centre on Saturday night.

Chief executive of the R&A Mark Darbon revealed there will be "marginal adjustments" of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times on Saturday to try to ensure both events can take place in a "seamless" way.

"We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate," he said.

"On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue.

"So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible.

"We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish - it's not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier.

"At the same time, this is an outdoor sport; the weather can play a big role.

"It's very difficult to be precise on finishing times, but we are looking at some marginal adjustments."

Mr Darbon was asked on Wednesday afternoon about reports that the organisers of the band parade had been offered £20,000 to postpone their event, which was rejected.

Responding, he said the R&A is contributing to "some incremental costs" to support the "seamless operation of both events".

"We try and be good citizens in the communities in which we operate when we come to town," he added.