Shane Lowry - players.bio

Why hole No. 1 is playing a big part in this year's Open Championship - ESPN

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Congratulations, J.J. Spaun, you've made it to the Open Championship for the first time in your career. Here's the first hole at Royal Portrush — there's out of bounds on both sides. Make sure you hit it straight.

Who has won the Open Championship? All-time golf champions - ESPN

Established in 1860, the Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world. Owned and operated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the Open (also known as the British Open) is held in the United Kingdom every year. The event is the last of the four major championships played each year on the PGA Tour (Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open), historically taking place on the weekend of the third Friday in July.

Scheffler makes bright British Open start before McIlroy takes center stage

Scheffler, though, is well-placed to launch his challenge for a fourth major and a first Claret Jug despite a series of wayward tee shotsMcIlroy is the star attraction for the close to 280,000 spectators set to attend the four days of playPORTRUSH, UK: World number one Scottie Scheffler made a fine start to the British Open with a three-under par round at a rain-swept Royal Portrush on Thursday before home favorite Rory McIlroy began his tournament in front of huge crowds.Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, China’s Li Haotong and Dane Jacob Skov Olesen hold the clubhouse lead at four under par after enjoying the better of the weather conditions in early tee-off times.Scheffler, though, is well-placed to launch his challenge for a fourth major and a first Claret Jug despite a series of wayward tee shots.The American hit just three fairways but still produced one of the best rounds of the day thanks to his brilliant approach play.“When it’s raining sideways, it’s actually, believe it or not, not that easy to get the ball in the fairway.