Day 1 of the 2025 British Open is in the books, with five players leading at 4 under par. We call ’em like we see ’em around here. They are:
2025 British Open Day 1 Winners
The World Nos. 1 and 2: You can’t win a major on Day 1 but you can certainly lose it. (For examples of the latter please read on.) But Scottie Scheffler was his typically steady self while firing a 3-under 68, while Rory McIlroy was more of a thrill ride but finished up just fine at 1-under 70. The Open headliners remain very much relevant with 54 holes to go.
Google Search: As can happen at the oft-unpredictable Open, the first day included a few names that sent golf fans scrambling to search engines to learn more. Our favorite was Jacob Skov Olesen, a 26-year-old Dane (thanks, Google) who shot an opening 67 to tie for the lead and earn a fresh bookmark on our search bar.
Phil Mickelson: The 2013 Open champion fired a 1-under 70 that included a par-saving hole-out from a bunker that—at least for one round—echoed his glory days.
Graeme McDowell: An Open broadcast has to have a proper accent and viewers early Thursday on USA were treated to the Portrush native and 2010 U.S. Open champion, who delivered solid quips and insights from a course he knows by heart. He’s also working for Sky Sports this week.
2025 British Open Day 1 Losers
Wyndham Clark: News got out this week that the 2023 U.S. Open champion was suspended from Oakmont, the final ignominy from a locker room-destruction incident after he missed the cut at the U.S. Open. And after an opening 76 at Portrush, he might be cleaning out another locker early (hopefully quietly).
Bryson DeChambeau: His birdie-less 78 included an awkward-stance whiff on the 4th hole. He’s looking at his fourth missed cut in eight Opens, with just one top-30 finish (T8, 2022) and increased chatter that he doesn’t have the artistry required for links golf.
Patrick Reed: A long-shot bid for “Captain America” to make this year’s Ryder Cup team began three weeks ago with a win at LIV Golf Dallas but probably ended Thursday with a 77.
Brooks Koepka: Not to pile on the LIV’ers, but the five-time major champ birdied the 12th and 14th Thursday to get to 1 over, then bogeyed three of his last four to finish at 4 over. He’s looking at a third missed major cut this year after three missed cuts in the previous 11 years combined.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as 2025 British Open Day 1 Winners and Losers: Scheffler and McIlroy Shine While DeChambeau Stumbles.
