Golf-Harrington to hit first shot at Open before the McIlroy show

Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 15, 2025 Ireland's Padraig Harrington reacts during a practice round REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (Reuters) -Two-time major winner Padraig Harrington will have the honour of striking the first tee shot when the 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush on Thursday, launching golf's oldest major back onto Northern Ireland's dramatic County Antrim coastline.

The Irishman, who captured back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008, will begin the action at 06:35 local time alongside Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard and Northern Ireland's own Tom McKibbin.