Seven-strong Irish contingent hoping to make their mark at St Andrews 

Two Irish qualifiers will make their Open debuts at the tail end of Thursday’s first round.

BIG CHANCE: Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy on the 18th green during practice day four of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Rory McIlroy, a freshly minted honorary member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, leads a seven-man Irish contingent into the 150th Open Championship today at the Old Course.

McIlroy plays the first two rounds with defending Open champion Collin Morikawa and last week’s Genesis Scottish Open winner Xander Schauffele at 9:58 am. It’s the first of three marquee groupings that feature a top-50 Irish representative.