PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Jacob Skov Olesen is the surprise leader of the 153rd British Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The simplest one is to wager on the in-form golfers, a list led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy may get the nod over Scheffler in some circles this week because he's playing on home soil at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy, despite his uneven performances in the P.G.A. Championship and U.S. Open, will be among the favorites this week in his native country, as will Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, and Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world. Here are five other players to watch.

The crowds following Rory McIlroy for three days at Royal Portrush have been enormous, a reminder of the expectations. On banners and flags and buntings of grandstands there are images of the claret jug,

And that's exactly what Bryson DeChambeau did on Tuesday at Royal Portrush. The two-time U.S. Open champ would love to add a British Open title to his major collection this week. But even if he isn't crowned the "Champion Golfer of the Year" on Sunday,

A half century has passed since Tom Watson captured the first of his five British Opens, defeating Jack Newton by one in an 18-hole playoff at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Tee times in Saturday’s third round of the British Open will be brought forward in an effort to reduce the potential for disruption while an annual loyalist parade takes place the same day in Portrush.