The atmosphere at the 2025 Open Championship is charged with excitement as players take to the stunning course at Royal Portrush. Notably, Rory McIlroy made a remarkable start, rolling in an opening birdie for the second consecutive day. The Northern Irishman showcased his skills by sinking a long right-to-left putt on the par-4 first hole, bringing his score to 4 under par, just six strokes behind the leader, Scottie Scheffler. As McIlroy continues to rack up birdies, the local crowd is sure to amplify their support, creating an electric atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Sungjae Im is making waves with an incredible performance, achieving five birdies in his first seven holes. This surge places him at 4 under for the day and matching his tournament total. The conditions at Royal Portrush are favorable today, with light winds and receptive greens contributing to a flurry of birdies. Corey Conners set an early benchmark with a remarkable 66 in the first round today. However, players hoping to challenge Scheffler must aim for lower scores, reminiscent of Shane Lowry's impressive third-round 63 in 2019.
As the rounds progress, the early scoring average at Royal Portrush has dipped to -0.65, marking the first instance this week where it has fallen below par. This notable shift can be attributed to the absence of poorly performing players and the ideal weather conditions. Currently, four of the first seven holes are playing under par, setting the stage for exciting competition.
In a thrilling turn of events, John Parry recorded the first hole-in-one of the week at the 13th hole. His remarkable shot hit the flagstick and dropped in, earning him a score of 1. This ace propelled Parry to -4 for the day and -3 for the championship, positioning him favorably on the leaderboard as many players capitalize on the calm conditions.
Corey Conners dazzled fans by posting the best score of the day with a 5-under 66. Starting in the first round this morning, Conners demonstrated his exceptional ball-striking ability, complemented by effective putting. His stellar performance included several birdie putts, notably a long one on the 18th hole, which elevated him from a +1 score to -4, landing him in the top 10.
Veteran golfer Henrik Stenson is also making significant strides, showing his competitors the potential for success at Royal Portrush. After signing for another birdie on the par-5 12th hole, Stenson reached 5 under par for the day and 4 under for the championship. His performance exemplifies the opportunities available in the favorable conditions.
Both Corey Conners and Henrik Stenson are taking full advantage of the ideal early scoring conditions, each currently at 4 under par in their third rounds. With scores of 3 under for the championship, they have positioned themselves well within the competition. Conners has recorded five birdies and one bogey through 13 holes, while Stenson boasts two birdies and an eagle on the 7th hole, making the turn in an impressive 32.
Another pairing to keep an eye on is the dynamic duo of Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth. After sharing the course for the first two days, they are back together on this Saturday, joined by fiery competitors Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm. Starting at even par, both Hovland and Spieth have the potential to gain momentum and make significant progress on the leaderboard.
After a rocky start with an opening tee shot that went out of bounds, Bryson DeChambeau has rebounded impressively. Following a bogey on the first hole, he has now recorded three birdies over the next four holes, bringing him into red figures for the championship and just outside the top 25 on the leaderboard. This comeback showcases the resilience of the two-time major champion.
