It was a return six years in the making, and it was a return that perfectly encapsulated Rory McIlroy. Making the trek back to Royal Portrush for The Open Championship -- now as a career grand slam winner -- the Northern Irishman experienced a topsy-turvy day as the hard stuff came easy and the easy stuff came hard.

The Open Championship continues Friday at Royal Portrush. Scottie Scheffler headlines a jammed leaderboard. Here's how to watch all the action.

Scottie Scheffler settled, settled and settled until he surged through the finish line of his opening 18 holes at the 2025 Open Championship. Signing for a first-round 68 to position himself one stroke behind the early co-leaders of Matt Fitzpatrick,