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TimesLIVE
17-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Olesen, Li, Fitzpatrick lead Open, McIlroy rallies after nervy start
World number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen of Denmark, China's Li Haotong and England's Matthew Fitzpatrick shot four-under-par 67s to share the British Open first-round lead in tough conditions at Royal Portrush on Thursday. World number one Scottie Scheffler was one stroke adrift after a 68, and Rory McIlroy made a solid start to his bid for a second Claret Jug after recovering from a nervous bogey five at the first hole. That was three shots better than he managed in the 2019 Open at Portrush, but not what his legion of fans had hoped for after the world number two became the sixth player to complete the Grand Slam by winning this year's Masters. The Northern Irishman regained his composure to birdie the second and fifth holes and get to one under par. After early sunshine on the Dunluce Links, heavy rain made life difficult for the players. Rory's making a charge. He's one off the lead. Watch his Featured Group on R&A TV: — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 Qualifier Olesen sank a 40-foot birdie putt on the tough opening hole and eagled the 12th before making his second bogey at the last. 'Obviously, annoyed to finish off with a bogey and not getting it up in two from there. But it happens, and whether it happens on hole seven or hole 18, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter,' Olesen said. 'I always feel like if I play my game that I can do well, especially around links courses.' Li made four birdies in a flawless round. The world number 111 finished third in the 2017 Open at Birkdale after shooting a closing 63. 'I think I had 18 highlights today. I tried to avoid a bogey and did it, which is great,' Li said. 'It's very tough, brutal.' Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, eagled the second hole and notched up three birdies. An eagle for Christiaan Bezuidenhout on 12. It moves the South African into the leading group on four-under. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 'I just felt like I did everything well,' he said. 'Drove it well, approach play was good, and chipped and putted well. It was just an all around good day.' American Scheffler picked up five birdies and was happy with his game despite bogeys at the ninth and 11th holes as he seeks his first British Open title. 'Felt like I hit the ball nice off the tee, and really only had one swing I wasn't too happy with on maybe the second hole, so definitely a good bit of confidence for the next couple rounds,' Scheffler said. England's Matthew Jordan joined the American on 68. Former world number one Lee Westwood, 52, and Dane Nicolai Hojgaard also began well with two-under 69s. Veteran American Phil Mickelson, the 2013 Open champion, rolled back the years with a 70, including a spectacular par-save when he holed out from a greenside bunker. 'That bunker shot that buried in the lip, and then to make it, it was obviously a lot of luck. It was crazy. I was just trying to save bogey, and I got lucky,' the 55-year-old said.
Qatar Tribune
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Harrington insists ceremonial tee will not dull competitiveness
Two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington appreciates the honour of being asked to get the tournament at Royal Portrush under way but insists the ceremonial duty will not dull his competitive edge. The R&A traditionally give the first shot, scheduled for 6.35am (0535 GMT) on Thursday, to a player they believe deserves the recognition, but is not 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, does not 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 nerve-wracking,' the Irishman, winner of the Senior US Open a fortnight ago, told R&A TV. '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. 'That is what is in my head for the week and I am trying to get myself in that headspace that everything is leading to Sunday afternoon. I mightn't get there but if I do get there in contention, I have to prepare for it.'
Belfast Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Padraig Harrington insists Open ceremonial tee will not dull his competitiveness
The R&A traditionally give the first shot, scheduled for 6.35am on Thursday, to a player they believe deserves the recognition, but is not 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, does not 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 nerve-wracking," the Irishman, winner of the Senior US Open a fortnight ago, told R&A TV. "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. "That is what is in my head for the week and I am trying to get myself in that headspace that everything is leading to Sunday afternoon. I mightn't get there but if I do get there in contention, I have to prepare for it."
