Scheffler most certainly played his way into it as he seeks a second Major of the season after winning the US PGA at Quail Hollow in May, with his unflappable and patient approach working perfectly on such a testing day, made even tougher by the slow pace of play.

Shane Lowry was almost doing cartwheels after he opened with a one-under 70 and his pal Rory McIlroy was equally relieved to overcome a wayward driver to match him and lie just three shots off the pace in The Open at Royal Portrush.

Royal Portrush is playing host to the final major of the year, the 2025 Open Championship in Northern Ireland. Here are the best prop bets to make.

Who will win the 153rd Open Championship? Our experts dive into all the twists and turns of the year's final major

Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win The Open. Jon Rahm is right behind him. Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry... Yes, we know, we know.

BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson speaks to 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry ahead of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Shane Lowry’s travails before his first win at Portrush have been forgotten – he hopes the turbulence of 2025 will be similarly lost to history.

We’ve reached the final men’s major championship of the year – and our final full-field ranking, as Scottie Scheffler leads the list of 156 players for The Open at Royal Portrush.