Rory McIlroy will be roared on in his homeland as the 153rd British Open gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday as world number one Scottie Scheffler seeks his first Claret Jug.The world number three has not won a tournament since lifting the Claret Jug a year ago and has not even managed a top-five finish in 12 tournaments this year.

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.

Backspin: His year was slowed by a rib injury that kept him out for two months. Padraig Harrington (2007-08), Tiger Woods (2005-06) and Tom Watson (1982-83) are the only back-to-back Open champions the last 50 years.

Open Championship golfers and the British Open favorite to win ahead of the year's final major at Royal Portrush

Here's a look at the tee times and groups for the first and second rounds of the 2025 Open Championship on Thursday, July 17, and Friday, July 18.

Scottie Scheffler said on Tuesday he does "not care" about being the tournament favourite as he prepares for his latest tilt at a maiden British Open title this week at Royal Portrush."I could not care any less about being the favourite or not being the favourite,

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — How well do you know British Open history? Try this quiz: b.) He was penalized two shots in the final round for being late to the first tee b.) Christy O’Connor Jr.