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**Summary:**

The first round of the final major golf championship saw a crowded leaderboard at Royal Portrush. Six golfers are tied for the lead at 4-under par, while World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is just one shot back. Rory McIlroy had a better start than his disastrous 2019 appearance at the same course, finishing at 1-under. Several prominent players, including Bryson DeChambeau, struggled and are in danger of missing the cut.

**News Article:**

**Crowded Leaderboard Opens Final Major; Scheffler Contends, McIlroy Improves at Royal Portrush**

ROYAL PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – A tightly packed leaderboard emerged after the first round of the year’s final major championship, with six players sharing the top spot at 4-under par at Royal Portrush. Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Harris English all carded impressive rounds to lead the field.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is lurking just one stroke behind after an early 3-under 68. He is joined in a tie for seventh by Matthew Jordan, Tyrrell Hatton and Sadom Kaewkanjana.

Local favorite Rory McIlroy, eager to put his 2019 Open Championship debacle at Portrush behind him, finished at 1-under par. The Northern Irishman started with a bogey on the first hole but recovered well, avoiding a repeat of the quadruple bogey eight that derailed his previous appearance.

However, not all the big names fared so well. Bryson DeChambeau struggled mightily, posting a 7-over par round that leaves him near the bottom of the leaderboard and fighting to make the cut. Other major champions like Patrick Reed, Wyndham Clark, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka also face an uphill battle to survive the weekend.

The second round begins early Friday, with players battling for position before the weekend pressure intensifies. Tune in to follow all the action.

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