Harrington to hit first shot at Open before the McIlroy show
The Irishman, who captured back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008, will begin the action at 06:35 local time alongside Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard and Northern Ireland's own Tom McKibbin.
McKibbin hails from Hollywood, 60 miles south of Portrush, but will not attract the same fanfare as the town's most celebrated son Rory McIlroy, who will be the favourite for the majority of the 270,000 fans expected throughout the week.
For five-time major winner McIlroy, it will be a homecoming after he completed his career grand slam with this year's Masters triumph.
He will tee off at 3:10pm alongside American two-time major winner Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood, who is bidding to become the first English player to hoist the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992.
American Xander Schauffele begins his title defence at 09:58 in a powerful group featuring Spain's Jon Rahm and this year's surprise U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is in the next group alongside fellow American, 2021 champion Collin Morikawa, and Ireland's Shane Lowry, who romped to an emotional victory on this very Dunluce course six years ago.
McIlroy, 36, will be desperate to banish the ghosts of 2019, when his dream turned into a nightmare with a quadruple-bogey eight at the par-four opening hole after going out of bounds en route to a tournament-wrecking 79.
"It's lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that's happened this year," McIlroy, whose maiden Open title came at Royal Liverpool in 2014, said. "I'm excited with where my game is. I feel like I'm in a good spot."
The recent scorching weather across Britain has left the scenic par-71 layout firm and fast, but thunderstorms have already disrupted practice rounds.
With heavy rain showers forecast for Thursday and the breeze expected to strengthen for the later starters, all 156 competitors will be keeping one eye on the fickle Causeway Coast weather as they chase golf's most coveted prize.
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BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
'McIlroy's got it going, you need to see this' - Rory's Portrush record
"It was just unbelievable. He's obviously an absolute superstar now but, truth be told, he was a superstar in the making after that day."It is 20 years ago, almost to the day, that a 16-year-old Rory McIlroy breezed round Royal Portrush - venue for this week's 153rd Open Championship - in 61 shots to set a new course O'Callaghan was one of McIlroy's playing partners that day and says that the curly-haired teenager went to "the next level" over those 18 Cork native is now coach of East Tennessee State University - the institution McIlroy had chosen to attend before deciding to turn professional instead - and remembers the number of people watching the round swell as word got out. O'Callaghan first encountered his future Ireland team-mate when McIlroy was still in primary school and was struck by the notion of meeting a world champion of any age."I remember thinking, 'like not just Northern Ireland? Not just Ireland? The best in the world?' And it's just this kid who's grinning from ear to ear," he told BBC was before he saw him with a club in his hand."He swung the same way he does now. You're watching him with his little cut down driver or cut down seven wood and he's just never missing the centre of the club face. "Always right on the button, no toe slappers to the left-side of the fairway. Just flush."O'Callaghan would become both a friend and regular playing partner in the years that followed and recalls being "flattered" to be paired alongside McIlroy and another pal, Stephen Crowe, at the North of Ireland Championship in July 2005. On the first day of the prestigious competition, a level-par score around the adjacent Valley course meant O'Callaghan had the better of McIlroy by a stroke. Then came the round that changed it all. McIlroy had first played the famous Dunluce links to celebrate his 10th birthday. Around the same time he was interviewed by BBC NI and stated his aim to win 'all of the majors'.His three under par on the front nine of the second day at the North was noteworthy, but hardly foretold a round that would go into lore."I was focused on my own game for the front nine and playing quite nicely. I was kind of in it," says O' then eagled the 10th to move to five under. "Walking down the 11th, they've moved the course around a bit now, but it was a par three down the hill, and I remember him hitting a nice shot in and Stevie turned to me and said 'Rors has got it going today' and, to be honest, I'd hardly noticed."I knew he was playing well, but I didn't realise he was five under."From about then I stopped thinking about my game and started looking at what he was doing."Along with virtually everyone else on the course. A quirk of the draw ensured the course record holder Randal Evans was in the group behind, given a front row seat to see his mark bettered by three O'Callaghan, Evans had known McIlroy for years by the summer of day in Portrush he remembers being struck by a change in the prodigy."He dressed differently than everybody else. He dressed as if he was already a tour pro," said Evans."He just looked class. Wearing white shoes, white trousers, the white t-shirt, this pink belt and hat."That only comes from being that good and that confident."As word spread about McIlroy's score, the watching crowd swelled around the group with his playing partners feeling increasingly like spectators themselves."Rory would have had a following anywhere in Ireland. Wherever he went at that point, if you got drawn with him, there might be 20 guys there, just people from the club who wanted to watch him play," said O'Callaghan."We started with those 20 or 25 guys, but people were obviously calling each other and saying, 'McIlroy's got it going here, you need to see this'. It went from 20 to 50 to 100 very quickly."Coming down the old 16th, there was just this wave of people coming towards us. There must've been 1,000 people and Stevie and myself, at this point were just passengers in the round." When he set his own record, Evans remembers feeling the nerves as he reached the 18th needing a par to eclipse the then standard set by future three-time major winner and Ryder Cup captain Padraig contrast, as the pressure ramped up, O'Callaghan sensed McIlroy relished the 36-year-old made headlines at Augusta this year for not addressing his final-round playing partner Bryson DeChambeau, but O'Callaghan saw the same singular focus even then."The more people that were there, you could see his focus go to the next level, he was now in his element," he said."It wasn't that he was showing off, but like he was going to entertain and really put on a show."He got into that zone or flow that people talk about and you could probably throw an orange at his head and he wouldn't blink."If Evans felt McIlroy looked like a tour player that day, O'Callaghan remembers him celebrating one like consecutive birdies to finish his round gave the watching crowd what they had hoped for with a monster putt on the 18th providing the exclamation point to the piece of history."It was one of those kind of moments that we were watching on TV at the time with Tiger Woods where as soon as the putt left the blade, you could just see this thing like a magnet to the hole, roll after roll after roll," he said."Rory, you could see it in his eyes. He knows that he's making it right off the bat, and he's got the putter up and he's ready to go with the fist pump, giving it the whole lot."It didn't even touch the sides of the hole. Electric." McIlroy was interviewed the next day by BBC NI and said it was the first bogey-free competitive round of his life. In 2019, he said he could still remember every the 17th, Evans heard the cheer that signalled his record had been beaten with the navigation of the course ensuring there was to be an almost figurative as well as literal passing of the torch."He had to come walking down past me and I says '61?' and he just says 'yeah, Randy', like why wouldn't he be shooting a 61 round there, you know?" said Evans."I shot 64 and that was years of practice and a good round of golf. Think of all the great golfers who have played Portrush and not beat that, tens of thousands of rounds a year."Rory was 16 years of age and shot a 61 at his leisure. Cockiness or confidence, whatever it was was just oozing out of him." Of course, McIlroy would later learn that the game of golf will dent even the previously unshakable confidence of the very best. For all his talent and successes, McIlroy connects with fans in part because of all he has endured alongside his historic feats. From the Sunday 80 when leading the Masters by four in 2011, through to handing the US Open to DeChambeau last year, with stalled major charges at St Andrews and Los Angeles Country Club in between, there have been plenty of days that could have slowed that familiar stride up the fairways as if there were "springs in his shoes" that O'Callaghan saw even in his earliest days. Such moments have allowed even one of the most preternaturally talented athletes of his generation to show a human side too. Perhaps McIlroy was at his most raw after his late run to make the cut came up short when The Open returned to Royal Portrush in 2019. An eight on the opening hole of the championship set an unwanted tone and he was left fighting back tears after his second-round 65 was not enough to hang around for the he beat the course into submission in 2005, Portrush bit back in way will things go as McIlroy returns home this week in search of major number six?"Rory, obviously, is a different league altogether now," says Evans."Missing the cut last time was a massive shock but, Rory's Rory - he'll fix that this time around, I'm sure."
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of The Open Championship 2025
Golf's finest - the likes Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood - arrive at Royal Portrush ahead of the Open Championship which promises to be a busy market for the bookmakers this week The 2025 Open Championship returns to the rugged beauty of Royal Portrush, a venue that last hosted golf's oldest major in 2019. That year, Shane Lowry delivered a masterclass, coasting to victory at 15 under par while only nine others managed to finish within eleven shots of him. Lowry's triumph wasn't just about nerves or short game wizardry—it was a showcase for those who excel with driver and irons, a trend reflected throughout the leaderboard. A glance back at the 2019 top ten—names like Tommy Fleetwood, Tony Finau, Brooks Koepka, Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler, Tyrrell Hatton, Danny Willett, Robert MacIntyre, and Patrick Reed—reveals a group dominated by precision ball-strikers rather than power hitters or short-game specialists. Portrush demands more than brawn; it rewards those who can consistently find fairways and attack pins with crisp iron shots. What's striking is how even the world's elite found Portrush a stern test. Of the top six in the Official World Golf Ranking that summer, only Koepka managed a top-20 finish. In an era where big names often crowd major leaderboards, Portrush proved itself an equaliser—a course where only sustained quality could survive. The course itself is a classic examination of skill and nerve. Players who are in control can post red numbers, but anyone struggling will see mistakes multiply quickly. Unlike some other Open venues where scores tend to cluster tightly, Portrush produces more separation—highlighting both brilliance and frailty across the field. The opening hole sets the tone: out-of-bounds markers loom on either side of the fairway, making for a nerve-jangling start (as Rory McIlroy learned all too well last time). Looking ahead to this year's championship, Royal Portrush appears tailor-made for those who thrive with long irons and possess accuracy off the tee. It's not a place where you can simply overpower trouble or rely on miraculous recoveries around every green. Instead, it calls for players who combine calm under pressure with technical excellence. With that in mind, golfers like Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler stand out as prime contenders. Scheffler in particular may finally break through at The Open—his pinpoint driving and world-class approach play are ideally suited to Portrush's exacting demands. If he can keep his ball on track and avoid the pitfalls waiting for wayward shots, he'll have every chance to claim his first Claret Jug. Royal Portrush doesn't hand out victories easily. But for those who bring their best ball-striking to Northern Ireland this summer, it offers the chance to etch their name into golfing history—just as Lowry did six years ago. Here are a selected number of free bets offers: New Customer The Open Free Bet Offers Sky Bet - Place Any Bet on The Openand Get £30 in Free Bets Here is your guide on how to make the most out of this offer with Sky Bet: Click this link which will take you to the Sky Bet sign up page. Register your account and place a minimum deposit of £5 Sign up via the '£30 in free bets when you place any bet' promotion and place a minimum of 5p on your first bet on a single or each way bet on any Sky Bet market at odds of 1/1 or greater Free bets will be credited within 72 hours of qualified bet being settled Enjoy four £10 free bet tokens with Sky Bet - will expire after 30 days if left unused NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. 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T&Cs apply. Betfred - Bet £10 on The Open andGet £50 free bets Click this link which will take you to the Betfred sign up page. Here you will claim your bet £10, get £50 bonus Complete your Betfred registration using code BETFRED50 and prepare to make your first deposit Make your first deposit of £10 or more Bet £10 on football this weekend (Min odds. EVS or bigger) Get £50 in free bets even if your first bet goes on to lose New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 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Register your account and use promo code ZSKAOG Place a minimum deposit of £10 using a Debit card or Apple Pay Place a qualifying bet of £10 at odds of at least 1/1 (2.00) on the Betfair Sportsbook Receive £50 Sportsbook free bet builders, accumulators or multiples will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. William Hill - Bet £10 on The Open and Get £60 in bonuses Click this link which will take you to the William Hill sign-up page Choose the Sports Welcome Offer Register your account and deposit minimum £10 into your account with 7 days of registration Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sports market Enjoy £60 in free bets 18+. Play Safe. New players using T60 code. Online only. Get £60 bonus split as follows: (i) Deposit £10. Get a £20 Vegas Bonus on selected games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); '(ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, get 4x£10 sports free bets (valid 7 days, excl. virtual sports). Payment & country restrictions & full T&Cs apply. LiveScore Bet - Bet £10 on The Open and Get £30 free bets Click this link which will take you to the LiveScore Bet sign-up page Register your account and deposit minimum £10 into your account within 14 days of registration Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater than on selected sportsbook markets Accept the free bets via a pop-up notification within seven days of qualifying Enjoy £30 in free bets when the qualifying bet settles *New members only. Any new account registration or bets settled on 5 April 2025 are not eligible for this Welcome Offer. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. 18+ More Free Bets offers Be sure to look at the Mirror Betting Hub's Free Bets page where you have all the latest free bets offers from the biggest online bookmakers and more. More than 30 bookies have new customer offers which will be catered for every sporting event whether that is horse racing, football, darts, tennis and more. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Times
27 minutes ago
- Times
Former gang member and Open debutant Ryan Peake: I deserve to be here
Ryan Peake concedes that it would be 'tricky at best' for him to make his Open debut if his father, a bricklayer who moved to Australia aged four, did not still hold a British passport. When the tournament was held at Royal Portrush in 2019, the world No466 had just been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for grievous bodily harm, and without the British passport he was able to claim through his father, travel to the UK would have been extremely difficult. In fact, the heavily tattooed former biker gang member had visa problems just getting to the New Zealand Open in March, where his maiden victory sealed the most extraordinary spot in this week's field. 'It's my life, it's my story, and I'm not embarrassed about it. It's something I've done and I've owned it,' Peake, 32, says. 'I'm not trying to be a role model or be someone's superhero, anything like that. I'm just basically living the best life I can, and whatever people see from that, that's what they see.'
