Scheffler makes bright British Open start as McIlroy three shots back

World number one Scottie Scheffler made a fine start to the British Open to sit three under par at a rain-swept Royal Portrush on Thursday as home favourite Rory Mcllroy was roared on during a rollercoaster one-under par round.

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Harris English and England's Matt Fitzpatrick joined Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen, China's Haotong Li and South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout with 4-under-par 67s to share the first-round lead of the Open Championship

Scheffler, though, is well-placed to launch his challenge for a fourth major and a first Claret Jug despite a series of wayward tee shots.

The American hit just three fairways but still produced one of the best rounds of the day thanks to his brilliant approach play.

"When it's raining sideways, it's actually, believe it or not, not that easy to get the ball in the fairway. Thank you guys all for pointing that out," he told reporters.

Scheffler raised eyebrows with his pre-tournament comments that his is "not a fulfilling life" due to his relentless quest for more success.