Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Sunshine greets day one of The Open, Sonia backs Ciara Mageean for more glory, and what to watch out for

Colin Montgomerie walks off the first tee during the first round - Royal Troon, Scotland. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters
Thu Jul 14 2016 - 08:36

The Open

Day one of the Open at Royal Troon is underway this morning, and conditions have certainly set the scene for what promises to be an engaging four days of golf. The sun was out to greet Colin Montgomerie, who had the honour of hitting the first tee shot at 6.35am this morning; an iron that wandered into the first cut of rough on the right hand side.

Offalyman Shane Lowry is one of six Irish men on the course today, teeing off at 9.03am - and he's eager to lay down a marker. "I carry a marker with a shamrock on it that I use that my wife got for me last year. She got me one last year and I lost it, and I didn't hit a shot for about three months. So she got me another one, and I'm doing okay again."

Our golf correspondent Philip Reid is at Royal Troon this week and he's been previewing the action, explaining that despite the presence of the 'Big Four', there are many in the quality field capable of British Open glory.

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“The truth is that this championship will be decided by what defines links golf. A lucky bounce away from a bunker, perhaps? Or, as the club motto suggests, skill and strength. And, perhaps, patience too! Mental fortitude could prove to be as important as any club.”

Women In Sport

In her column this morning Sonia O'Sullivan says that Ciara Mageean is now destined for a higher level - following her European Championship 1,500m bronze medal. "In some ways a lot of Ciara's journey reminds me of my similar one, and also how the belief and confidence that I gained from realising I belonged on the world stage allowed me to compete at a much higher level."

Rugby

Irish rugby head coach Joe Schmidt is to make a decision about his future, be it to extend his time as Ireland coach to 2019 or take up a position in New Zealand next year, in the coming weeks. Philip Browne, IRFU CEO says the decision will not be based on finances.

Soccer

Last night Dundalk were held to a 1-1 draw by Icelandic champions FH Hafnarfjordur in their Champions League second qualifying round home leg. Steven Lennon returned to haunt his old club with a 76th minute equaliser.

Meanwhile FAI Chief executive John Delaney has said that funding from Dennis O'Brien is essential to the reappointment of Martin O'Neill as Republic of Ireland manager.

What to watch out for

Le Tour de France -To Mont Ventoux.

TG4, 1.10pm-4.35pm

Under-21 Munster hurling semi-final between Tipperary and Limerick - throw-in is 7.30pm.

TG4 from 7.15pm

The LIVE blog for day one of the Open is already underway - right here.