By Agencies
XANDER Schauffele of the US watches his approach shot from the 12th fairway during a practice session at the Royal Portrush golf club on Tuesday.鈥擜FP
PORTRUSH: Two-time major winner Padraig Harrington will have the honour of striking the first tee shot when the 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush on Thursday, launching golf鈥檚 oldest major back onto Northern Ireland鈥檚 dramatic County Antrim coastline.
The Irishman, who captured back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008, will begin the action at 06:35 local time (0535 GMT) alongside Denmark鈥檚 Nicolai Hojgaard and Northern Ireland鈥檚 own Tom McKibbin.
McKibbin hails from Hollywood, 60 miles south of Portrush, but will not attract the same fanfare as the town鈥檚 most celebrated son Rory McIlroy, who will be the favourite for the majority of the 270,000 fans expected throughout the week.
For five-time major winner McIlroy, it will be a homecoming after he completed his career grand slam with this year鈥檚 Masters triumph.
He will tee