The Open: Seven Irish players to tee it up in final major of year

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

FORMER CHAMP: Shane Lowry during the R&A Celebration of Champions event at the Old Course, St Andrews. Pic: Richard Sellers/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 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 9.58am. It’s the first of three marquee groupings that feature a top-50 Irish representative.