Tom McKibbin and Nicolai Hojgaard take early lead at the Open

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin held a share of the early lead at The Open (Brian Lawless/PA)

Irish golfer Tom McKibbin and Ryder Cup winner Nicolai Hojgaard led from the front on the first day of The Open on a testing morning for scoring at Royal Portrush.

The highlight for the 22-year-old McKibbin, who learned his craft at Rory McIlroy’s Holywood Golf Club an hour down the road, was an eagle at the par-five seventh after teeing off in the first group at 6.35am.