Shane Lowry didn’t know what to make of the mural at first. He doesn’t look at himself as someone worthy of being celebrated as a national hero.

Here's a look at the tee times and groups for the first and second rounds of the 2025 Open Championship on Thursday, July 17, and Friday, July 18.

Lowry feels “rejuvenated” and as prepared as he could be in his bid to become the first player to win consecutive British Opens at the same course since Tiger Woods at St. Andrews in 2000 and ’05.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Shane Lowry believes he’s figured out a formula to excel in the biggest tournaments, like this week’s British Open at Royal Portrush, where he won the Claret Jug in 2019.

If we have any quarrel with the mural, it's that Lowry stands alone. Portrush proper is home to barely 6,000 souls, yet the R&A expects over a quarter-million pilgrims this week. The mathematics should spell chaos, but when an entire community vibrates at the same frequency—when everyone wants to be here—logistics become footnotes. It just works.

The 153rd British Open starts July 17 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland ... along with past Open champions Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Darren Clarke, and Tom McKibbin. Harrington is the last player to win two Opens in a row, in 2007 at Carnoustie ...

A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — How well do you know British Open history? Try this quiz: