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As it happenedended

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

Tom Kershaw
Royal Portrush
Thursday 18 July 2019 15:27 BST
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The Open Championship in numbers

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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

Please allow a moment for the leaderboard to load.

Rory's on his way

Next up on the tee is Rory McIlroy, he's a fan favourite wherever he goes but I think he'll know how loved he is here when he steps out onto the first tee.

Paul Casey and Gary Woodland are his playing partners. 

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:08

HOLE IN ONE!

A tough day for Emiliano Grillo (evs) gets infinitely better as he sinks his tee shot on the par-3 13th for a hole in one. 

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:10

On the tee

A huge, huge cheer for McIlroy as he's announced on the tee. The shot doesn't live up to it as Rory finds the spectators off to the left.

No such drama for Woodland and Casey who both smoke their tee shots down the middle.

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:12

1st hole

Rory's in trouble off the tee, his first shot went out of bounds and his second found the rough. 

On the green Molinari (evs) rolls his birdie putt right up to the hole and taps in for par.

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:14

8th hole

Alex Noren (-3) makes a move with a strong three on the eighth hole. He has three birdies in his round and a share of the lead. 

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:17

15th hole

Darren Clarke (-1) keeps himself in the running with a beautiful approach to 15. He leaves the ball about 2-3 feet from the hole.

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:20

1st hole

A horror start for McIlroy. He's forced into another penalty drop before finding the green with his sixth shot. 

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:23

Front nine 33

A birdie on the ninth for Shane Lowry (-3) sends him out in 33. Three birdies and no drop shots sees Lowry with a share of the lead.

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:25

1st hole

Pars for Casey (evs) and Woodland (evs) are overshadowed by Rory McIlroy's (+4) disastrous start as he takes eight on the first.

After one hole McIlroy finds himself seven shots off the lead. 

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:26

15th hole

Darren Clarke (-2) taps in for another birdie, so too does Charley Hoffman (-3) who steadily moves to 3-under.

8th hole

Sergio Garcia keeps going with his tidy work back-to-back birdies on seven and eight move him to (-2). A feat shared by Webb Simpson, his playing partner. 

Michael Jones18 July 2019 10:29

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