Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke tees off the 1st to start day one of The Open Championship 2019 at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
2/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
The group of Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Paul Casey of England & Gary Woodland of the United States walk down the 1st tee during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington via Getty Images)
3/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Phil Mickelson of the United States wait to putt on there 5th green during the first round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Thursday, July 18, 2019.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Scroll to continue with content
Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
4/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Spectators take cover under umbrellas a heavy rain falls as they watch golfers during the first round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Thursday, July 18, 2019.(AP Photo/Jon Super) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
5/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
David Duval of The United States plays his shot from the 7th hole during the first round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Thursday, July 18, 2019.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
6/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Gary Woodland of the United States attempts to find a sure footing to play his ball that is on the top edge of a bunker on the 7th hole during the first round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Thursday, July 18, 2019.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
7/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
A general view of Royal Portrush golf course as golfers compete in the first round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Thursday, July 18, 2019.(AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
8/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Brooks Koepka of the United States shelters under an umbrella with caddie, Ricky Elliot on the 3rd hole during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington via Getty Images)
9/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Webb Simpson of the United States takes the flag out of the 18th hole during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) (Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
10/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Benjamin Herbert of France takes looks on on the back of fifth green during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) (Matthew Lewis/R&A via Getty Images)
11/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
The group consisting of reigning Open champion Francesco Molinari, Bryson DeChambeau and Adam Scott putt on the 5th green during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) (Charles McQuillan/R&A via Getty Images)
12/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Andrew Johnston of England high fives Robert MacIntyre of Scotland on the 5th green during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann via Getty Images)
13/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after his second shot on the second hole during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) (Ross Kinnaird/R&A via Getty Images)
14/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
A dog runs on to the sixth tee box during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) (Matthew Lewis/R&A via Getty Images)
15/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
US golfer Webb Simpson hits out from the rough on the second hole during the first round of the British Open golf Championships at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 18, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (GLYN KIRK via Getty Images)
16/19
In pictures: The Open, day one
General view of the 16th hole during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) (Stuart Franklin via Getty Images)
17/19
The Open: The best images from Royal Portrush
A spectator shields themselves from the rain during day one (Niall Carson/PA Wire)
18/19
The Open: The best images from Royal Portrush
McIlroy takes a drop shot on the 1st during day one of The Open Championship
19/19
The Open: The best images from Royal Portrush
USA fans walk the course during day one of The Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy’s nightmarish start at The Open may have stolen headlines, but the commencement of the 148th tournament had a number of highlights.
The Northern Irish golfer welcomed the tournament to Royal Portrush in peculiar circumstances - by firing out of bounds on the first tee.
He then fired an eight after breaking a spectator’s phone. Not the ideal start.
But if that was not enough for you, a dog invaded the green while another former champion David Duval had a 13 at the seventh.
All in all, there was plenty of action.
Make sure to flick through our gallery for all the best images from the scenic golf course.
