In the end, it was perhaps one trip too many around the Old Course for Paul Dunne. Call it a Swilcan Bridge too far.

The home of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews in Scotland is used to seeing history being made and, for a while, it looked like yesterday would be no exception.

Low scoring was the order of the day as the early starters took advantage of an almost defenceless Old Course at St Andrews in the 144th Open.

Newly-crowned Open champion Rory McIlroy had to settle for an opening 69 on his return to action in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron today.

It will be back to work for Open champion Rory McIlroy this week as he gets on with the business of being a multiple Major winner.

Rory McIlroy feels as prepared as he ever has going into an Open Championship but it will be how he readies himself mentally for Friday’s second round that will determine whether he lifts the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool on Sunday.

Tiger Woods will not have to wait too long to make his competitive return to Hoylake in the 143rd Open Championship, which gets under way on Thursday.

Rory Mcllroy departed for Liverpool and this week’s British Open buoyed by his weekend effort in the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen.

The gauntlet has been thrown down to the 156 golfers whose ambition today is to become British Open champion at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Sunday evening — play it straight or you are in trouble.

EVEN 2012 Irish Open champion Jamie Donaldson described his victory as “surreal” last night but such was the success of the tournament’s return to Royal Portrush, it would not have mattered if a polar bear had sunk the final putt.

IT really doesn’t get much better than this.

American Rickie Fowler today firmly outshone fellow young star Rory McIlroy but still found an Irish golfer barring his way to Open Championship glory.

Former Open champion and world number one David Duval is determined to rediscover “greatness” having gone through what many regarded as a career-ending slump.

Open champion Padraig Harrington had another injury scare during practice this morning but is determined to defend his title at Royal Birkdale.

CAN you imagine anyone being described or known as “The Bounce Across the Bridge Champion?”

The Open has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for Paul McGinley but that does not mean he will not enjoy the week at St Andrews.

THE WINNER of the 133rd Open at Royal Troon maintained the American dominance of the Championship.

IT SEEMS a little odd to think that the man who for so long harboured a reputation for his near-manic obsession with the pursuit of golfing excellence should be considering missing this week’s Open Championship due to a family commitment.