The Open 2019 LIVE leaderbord: Rory McIlroy nine off lead as Shane Lowry leads the way and Tiger Woods begins

Follow the latest scores from the 148th Open Championship as the final major of the year returns to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years

The Open Championship in numbers

Follow the latest scores from The Open live as the first day at Royal Portrush gets underway.

The 148th Open Championship returns to Northern Ireland for only the second time in the tournament’s grand history, 68 years after first visiting Portrush in 1951, and features a heavily-packed Irish contingent of Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and plenty others.

But a number of Americans arrive at the final major of the year heading the pecking order, with Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods both hotly fancied after their recent form – the former unstoppable in majors over the last two years and latter claiming his 15th major at the Masters.

But there are plenty of other names in the mix from closer to home, with former world No 1 Justin Rose and in-form Englishman Matt Wallace among those to watch, while Jon Rahm is expected to challenge for his first major victory.

Follow the live scores below.

Latest updates

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Key Points

• Rory McIlroy makes quadruple bogey on opening hole
• Home favourite falls back to five-over after two horror putts on 15
• Tiger Woods makes uncomfortable start amid injury fears
• Shane Lowry clubhouse leader on -4 alongside Dylan Frittelli
• Emiliano Grillo ends Open wait for hole-in-one

[18 July 2019 06:24 · Michael Jones]

Good Morning! 

Welcome to The Independent's coverage of the 148th Open Championship. It's Day One of the fourth and final major championship of the year and The Open returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951.

The 68-year wait means tickets for the tournament have all sold out, including a massive record-breaking 61,000 for practice days.

Northern Irishman Darren Clarke will begin proceedings as the competition for the Claret Jug begins around 6.35 this morning. 

[18 July 2019 06:34 · Michael Jones]

Darren Clarke will hit the first tee shot at Royal Portrush in just over 5 minutes time to get the tournament underway.

He's partnering amateur Jame Sugrue and Charley Hoffman.

Local heroes Rory McIlroy and Greame McDowell tee off at 10:09am and 9:14am respectively with Masters champion Tiger Woods taking to the course at 3:10pm this afternoon.

Take a look at the tee off times below:

[18 July 2019 06:38 · Michael Jones]

 1st hole

The tee is packed with spectators as Darren Clarke gets the tournament underway. He finds the fairway and is cheered for his effort.

Irishman James Sugrue is next up, he's spoken about how Darren Clarke is a hero of his but that doesn't faze him and he too finds the fairway.

Charley Hoffman completes the group and follows the others down the fairway.

The 148th Open Championship is underway!

[18 July 2019 06:41 · Michael Jones]

On the tee

Next up on the first tee are Emiliano Grillo, Sung Kang and Thomas Thurloway (A) who start their rounds at 6:46 am.

[18 July 2019 06:43 · Michael Jones]

Here's a look at Darren Clarke's opening tee shot to get The Open at Royal Portrush underway:

[18 July 2019 06:45 · Michael Jones]

1st hole

Hoffman, Clarke and Sugrue (A) all take their approach shots to the green. Darren Clarke brings his in from the right side of the green and roles it down to the hole.

Hoffman and Sugrue (A) find the dancefloor as well. Three birdie putts incoming...

[18 July 2019 06:48 · Michael Jones]

Pin positions

Here we have the pin positions for Day One, the opening hole is quite forgiving at the back left of the green.

Take a look: 

[18 July 2019 06:50 · Michael Jones]

1st hole

A right-to-left swinger for Hoffman (Evs) rolls under the hole and he makes a solid par. 

Sugrue (A) (Evs) has a similar putt and for birdie but leaves it agonisingly short.

Clarke (-1) has a slight right-to-left putt to take an early lead and he sinks it! 

[18 July 2019 06:53 · Michael Jones]

1st hole

Thurloway (A), Kang and Grillo all safely negotiate the first tee. They'll be followed by Andy Sullivan, Alexander Levy and Christiaan Bezuidenhout at 6.57am.

[18 July 2019 06:54 · Michael Jones]

Take a look at Darren Clarke's early birdie on the first: