After starting his Thursday with an eagle on the second hole en route to a first-round 67, Matt Fitzpatrick is right at the top of the British Open leaderboard. A four-under start at Royal Portrush is nothing to sneeze at,

Who will win the 153rd Open Championship? Our experts dive into all the twists and turns of the year's final major

The "Golden Bear" and 18-time major winner won the first of his three Opens and completed the first of his three career grand slams along the southeastern Scottish coast in 1966, then called the par-71 layout "the best golf course in Britain."

On banners and flags and buntings of grandstands there are images of the claret jug, a reminder of what's at stake at the British Open. But add this to the list of what makes golf's oldest championship so distinct from the other majors: Every year it feels like a new experience.

Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are offering reminders that the British Open doesn't discriminate against older players.

Maybe it's just one round, but Thursday at The Open, 50-somethings Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson shot under par.

Jacob Skov Olesen and Haotong Li held the early Thursday lead at 4 under while Mickelson, 55, had his lowest opening round in an Open since 2016.