It is the first time in major championship history that five or more men, each playing under different flags, were tied for the lead.

That's what is on the line this week at the 2025 Open Championship as Royal Portrush hosts the final major of the season in Northern Ireland. Returning to the par 71 for the first time since 2019 -- only the third time The Open has ever been held outside of Scotland or England -- the R&A has set up a tournament that will do its best to identify the man most equipped to deal with the elements and emotional toll one experiences across four rounds of major championship golf.

Almost 280,000 golf spectators are attending the event at Royal Portrush throughout the week. After practice days from Sunday onwards, Thursday was the first day of tournament action and it lived up to expectations for many traders in the County Londonderry town.

The Open Championship had a little bit of everything Thursday, from sunshine to rain, a breeze to strong gusts. And no surprise, it had Scottie Scheffler right in the mix.

Tony Finau was sailing along just fine until he stumbled with a bogey on the par-4 17th in the first round of the British Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on Thursday. He is tied for 20th with a round of 1-under-par 70.

Round 2 of the 2025 British Open will broadcast nationally on USA Network from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers. Start time: 1:30 a.m. ET

It was a return six years in the making, and it was a return that perfectly encapsulated Rory McIlroy. Making the trek back to Royal Portrush for The Open Championship -- now as a career grand slam winner -- the Northern Irishman experienced a topsy-turvy day as the hard stuff came easy and the easy stuff came hard.

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.