Rory McIlroy shot 1-under 70 in the first round of the British Open at Royal Portrush that is also serving as a homecoming for the Northern Irish star.

The Open Championship, also referred to as the British Open, teed off on Thursday in Northern Ireland, and the winner will take home more than $3.1 million. But for the dozens of other golfers who don’t finish near the top of the tournament standings, the earnings fall off fast.

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But no one could go extremely low. Jacob Skov Olesen, the British Amateur champion last year from Denmark, was the first player to get to 5 under until a bogey at the last. He was joined at 67 by Li Haotong of China, and then Fitzpatrick joined the group with his marvelous chip-in.

Padraig Harrington struck the first tee shot as the 153rd British Open started in cloudy conditions at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

Malbon Golf dropped a new collection Thursday morning in collaboration with Bushmills, celebrating Northern Ireland's influence on the game of golf.

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

World number one Scottie Scheffler was one stroke adrift, and Rory McIlroy scrambled to a 70 after a rollercoaster round in which he bogeyed the first hole and fought back to three under before fading on the back nine.

Irishman Padraig Harrington teed off The 153rd Open and was the first one to notch a birdie on the day, generating some noise from the Northern Ireland crowd.

By the time Rory McIlroy finished his first practice round for the British Open at Royal Portrush, a big crowd that weathered rain and sunshine was waiting to see him finish.