Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Padraig Harrington salutes the crowd on the first tee at Royal Portrush.Alamy Stock Photo Freeoff we go Pádraig Harrington gets Open under way at Royal Portrush The 53-year-old, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008, started with a birdie. 9.45am, 17 Jul 2025 Share options TWO-TIME CHAMPION Pádraig Harrington got the 153rd Open Championship under way, backed by loud Irish support at Royal Portrush. With watery sunshine breaking through the clouds overhead and a stiff breeze blowing right-to-left and into his face the 53-year-old, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008, was given the honour of hitting the opening shot at 6.35am. Harrington took an iron and hit the middle of the fairway – which was more than Rory McIlroy did six years ago when the tournament returned to the Dunluce Links after finding out of bounds down the left on his first morning – and responded with a beaming smile. Advertisement The opening tee shot of The 153rd Open. pic.twitter.com/rRZokRqF8M— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 Despite being given the honour Harrington, who won the US Senior Open a fortnight ago, is determined to compete as he bids to become the oldest winner of the Claret Jug. “I still think I’m a player but I’m quite happy to take the ceremonial position of hitting the first shot. I have to create my own reality and in my reality I can win,” he said on Wednesday. There was almost as much noise for 22-year-old Tom McKibbin, from McIlroy’s Holywood club an hour down the road, whose tee shot crept into the left rough, while Ryder Cup winner Nicolai Hojgaard also found the fairway. Harrington hit his approach to 18 feet and holed his birdie attempt, which was greeted by a loud roar and another broad grin from the Irishman, but McKibbin took three to get to the green for a bogey. You can follow the live leaderboard here. Press Association Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Pádraig Harrington gets Open under way at Royal Portrush”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Pádraig Harrington gets Open under way at Royal Portrush”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. 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