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Shane Lowry leans on his putter

Shane Lowry cards flawless 66 to take clubhouse lead

Lowry was five under after the opening day with McIlroy 12 shots adrift after a 78.

Rory McIlroy struggled to an opening 78 in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon

Rory McIlroy way off lead after struggling to adapt to conditions

The Northern Irishman was 10 shots behind clubhouse leader Justin Thomas.

Justin Thomas at the 2024 Open Championship

Justin Thomas makes impressive start to Open

Missing the cut by eight shots at Hoylake 12 months ago had the American worrying for his Ryder Cup place.

Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 12th

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau experience difficult start at Royal Troon

The pair were facing an uphill battle simply to make the cut in the year’s final major at Royal Troon.

Bryson DeChambeau plays from the seventh fairway

Bryson DeChambeau makes nightmare start

The 30-year-old is competing at Royal Troon for the first time as he only turned professional three months before it last staged the Open in…

England’s Matt Wallace chips towards the green with the sea in the background

Matt Wallace makes first eagle of the Open to share early lead

The 34-year-old had to come through final qualifying last year only to miss the cut at Hoylake.

Justin Leonard tees off at The Open in front of a packed grandstand

Adam Scott the early stand-out at The Open

The tournament is being played under cloudy skies at Royal Troon.

Justin Leonard tees off the first tee at the 152nd Open watched by a large crowd with the sea and beach in the background

Justin Leonard hits first shot of the 152nd Open

Leonard won the Open in 1997.

Luke Donald stands on the 18th green at Royal Troon

Luke Donald believes Robert MacIntyre can ‘handle anything’

The Scot produced a stunning finish to win the Genesis Scottish Open title on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose at the Ryder Cup

Justin Rose believes Rory McIlroy will bounce back from US Open heartbreak at Troon

McIlroy is looking to end his decade-long major drought at Royal Troon this week.

Jon Rahm and Paul McGinley smiling with the Irish Open trophyOpen – Day Four – Lahinch Golf Club

Paul McGinley believes Jon Rahm is ‘hoping for a deal’ between PGA Tour and LIV Golf

Rahm has not won a tournament since his shock move to the Saudi-funded breakaway.

Rory McIlroy walks beside an image of the Claret Jug

Rory McIlroy encouraged by near misses in bid to end major wait at 152nd Open

McIlroy is out to bounce back from his US Open disappointment.

Robert MacIntyre kisses the Scottish Open trophy

Robert MacIntyre ready to focus on the Open after ‘wild’ Scottish Open celebrations

MacIntyre said winning his home championship was a ‘childhood dream and a lifetime goal’.

Matt Fitzpatrick watches his drive at the Scottish Open

Matt Fitzpatrick can’t explain poor Open record

A tie for 20th at Royal Portrush in 2019 remains Fitzpatrick ‘s best finish in his home major.

Darren Clarke poses with the Claret Jug

On This Day in 2011 – Darren Clarke wins Open Championship at 42

The Northern Irishman shot an even-par 70 on the final day in Sandwich.

Rory McIlroy smiles during a press conference for the 152nd Open

Rory McIlroy would rather have agonising close calls than no chance to win

McIlroy had held a two-shot lead at Pinehurst with five holes to play but bogeyed three of the last four to finish a shot behind…

Rory McIlroy on the 18th ahead of The Open at Royal Troon

Rory McIlroy will hope to put US Open result in past when he tees off at Royal Troon

McIlroy will tee off at 10.09am alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton and American Max Homa.

Colin Montgomerie watches Tiger Woods hit a shot

Tiger Woods dismisses talk of immediate retirement

The 48-year-old American last won a tournament five years ago.

Rory McIlroy (left) and Tiger Woods during practice for the Open 2022

Tiger Woods says Rory McIlroy will have ‘raw emotion’ from US Open for some time

McIlroy briefly held a two-shot lead with five holes to play at Pinehurst, but bogeyed three of the last four to miss out.

Justin Rose wipes his putter face during the Genesis Scottish Open.

Justin Rose still has the ‘horsepower’ to win a major

The former US Open champion came through a 36-hole qualifier to make the field at Royal Troon.