In a thrilling start to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, five players have emerged at the top of the leaderboard, each tied at 4-under-par after Round 1. This marks the highest number of players sharing the lead after the first round of an Open since 1938, when a record six players achieved the same feat. Following Thursday's play, an impressive 44 players are within four shots of the lead, setting the stage for an exciting Round 2. Below are the key highlights and stats from Day 1 of this prestigious tournament.
The five players tied for the lead represent a unique blend of talent from different countries, showcasing a range of world rankings from 19th to 354th. This is a historic moment in major championship history, as it is the first time five or more players from different nations have shared the lead after any round. Among these leaders is Jacob Skov Olesen, a 26-year-old from Denmark, who is making his first Open appearance as a professional. Olesen previously made the cut as an amateur at Royal Troon and is currently ranked in the top 15 on the DP World Tour in scoring.
Haotong Li, another leader, is no stranger to major competitions, having previously led the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park. His impressive final round of 63 in the 2017 Open showcased his capabilities, and he returns after a break since 2022. South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout also made headlines with his lowest career round in a major championship, shooting a 67.
Among the leaders is Harris English, who achieved a remarkable 67, marking a personal best for the opening round of the Open. English, who carded seven birdies, is looking to follow in the footsteps of his college teammate, 2023 Open champion Brian Harman. Likewise, Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, also finished at 4-under-par, showcasing a return to form after a difficult period in his career.
Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, made a strong statement with a score of 68, despite hitting only three fairways. This performance tied the lowest score in the last 25 years for a player hitting that few fairways. Scheffler's putting improved significantly, gaining over two strokes on the greens, indicating potential for a strong tournament performance.
Rory McIlroy started his campaign with a 70, impressively managing to score under par despite hitting just two fairways. This feat places him among a select few who have achieved similar results in the past 25 years. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm shot a 70, his best first-round score at the Open since 2019, setting him up for a potential upward trajectory as the tournament progresses.
Experience played a crucial role in Round 1, with seasoned players like Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson making headlines. Westwood, at 52, carded a score of 2-under, while Mickelson, 55, shot 1-under, marking his first under-par opening round since 2016. Sergio Garcia, at 45, also made an impressive return with a 71, showcasing the enduring talent of these veteran players.
Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, opened with a solid 71, making three birdies. In contrast, Bryson DeChambeau had a disappointing performance, recording a score of 78, his highest opening round in a major. As the tournament progresses, the afternoon players have shown favorable scoring averages, indicating potential shifts in the leaderboard.
With 44 players within striking distance of the lead after Day 1, the upcoming rounds promise to be exciting. Notably, history suggests that positioning entering Round 2 is crucial, as most Open champions have been within the top 20 after the first round. As players gear up for Friday, the competition remains wide open, and fans eagerly await to see who will rise to the occasion.
