That's what is on the line this week at the 2025 Open Championship as Royal Portrush hosts the final major of the season in Northern Ireland. Returning to the par 71 for the first time since 2019 -- only the third time The Open has ever been held outside of Scotland or England -- the R&A has set up a tournament that will do its best to identify the man most equipped to deal with the elements and emotional toll one experiences across four rounds of major championship golf.

Royal Portrush lived up to its reputation Thursday, throwing shifting weather and tough conditions at the field during a demanding opening round of the 2025 Open Championship. Five players emerged atop the leaderboard at 4 under after matching 67s: Matt Fitzpatrick,