Irish Energy Marks Start of British Open at Portrush

The Open Championship at Royal Portrush began on Thursday in the same manner it ended: with a crowded grandstand and throaty applause for an Irish golfer.
Padraig Harrington, a two-time Open champion, struck the first shot of the 153rd edition of golf's oldest competition with a penetrating iron into the North Atlantic wind, between pot bunkers on both sides, and into the fairway.
The Open returns to Royal Portrush after just six years. Shane Lowry of Ireland won his maiden major with a tap-in par on the final shot in 2019.
Harrington was the last to arrive on the first tee, with the silver claret jug positioned to the left to remind players of what is at stake this season. He tipped his cap in appreciation for The R&A's gesture of offering him the opening shot.
He then gave an even bigger celebration as he sank a 15-foot birdie putt.
It's merely the beginning of the longest day in golf, with the opening shot at 6:35 a.m. local time. The final group will not finish until about 9:30 p.m.
Rory McIlroy is a popular figure in his native Northern Ireland. His major title season began with him wearing the Masters green jacket, and he aims to end it with the Claret Jug. He was one of the late starters on Thursday.
The morning wave included Scottie Scheffler, the PGA champion and world's No. 1 player for the past two years, as well as defending Open winner Xander Schauffele, who is attempting to become the first player since Harrington (2007-08) to win The Open in consecutive years.
This is only the third occasion Royal Portrush has hosted The Open, with the first occurring in 1951 for a club founded in 1888.
The week's forecast is mixed, which generally translates to expect anything. Harrington took the lead in bright sunshine before the wind brought clouds.