Another bogey-free round belonged to 44-year-old Justin Rose, in the group at 69 that included 52-year-old Lee Westwood, former Open champion Brian Harman and Lucas Glover, who was tied for the lead until a pair of bogeys early on the back nine.

The top-ranked golfer in the world posted an early 3-under 68 and entered the clubhouse at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland just a shot off the lead. By the end of the day, though, there were five golfers — Jacob Skov, Olesen, Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpartick, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Harris English — tied for the lead at 4-under.

The British Open on Thursday at Royal Portrush ended with a five-way tie atop the leaderboard. Here are highlights and scores from the first round.

HOME HERO: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland made a late birdie for a 70 and was three shots behind. The last time he played the British Open at Royal Portrush, he made an 8 on the first hole, shot 79 and wound up missing the cut.

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.

How many golfers make the cut at The Open Championship? Here's what to know about the cut line rules for the British Open.

Of the 20 LIV golfers in the field at the 2025 British Open, Phil Mickelson turned in perhaps the most surprising first round.

The "Golden Bear" and 18-time major winner won the first of his three Opens and completed the first of his three career grand slams along the southeastern Scottish coast in 1966, then called the par-71 layout "the best golf course in Britain."

British Open's purse and the payout for the top 10 places. The schedule for the tournament and the previous winners.

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