Padraig Harrington gets Open under way at Royal Portrush

Padraig Harrington got the Open underway at Royal Portrush (Brian Lawless/PA)

Two-time champion Padraig Harrington got the 153rd Open Championship under way, backed by loud Irish support at Royal Portrush.

With watery sunshine breaking through the clouds overhead and a stiff breeze blowing right-to-left and into his face the 53-year-old, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008, was given the honour of hitting the opening shot at 6.35am.