First day of The Open gets underway in Hoylake

Today (Thursday, July 20) marked the first day of the 151st tournament after four days of practice rounds.

Here are some of the best shots captured from the tournament in Hoylake today.

Wirral's Matthew Jordan was given the honour of getting the action under way.

Matthew Jordan tees off the 1st to start day one of The Open (Image: PA)

Spectators have arrived from all over the world to feast their eyes on the golfing spectacle.

Spectators are searched as they enter the course (Image: PA)

This is a great shot of Spain's Pablo Larrazabal as he chips out of a bunker.

Spain's Pablo Larrazabal chips out of a bunker (Image: PA)

South Africa's Christo Lamprecht captured as he tees off the 5th.

South Africa's Christo Lamprecht tees off the 5th (Image: PA)

Wirral residents have been spotted watching the action from a house overlooking the course.

People watch the action from a house overlooking the course (Image: PA)

England's Tommy Fleetwood was being watched by spectators today on the first green.

England's Tommy Fleetwood chips onto the first green (Image: PA)

USA's Brooks Koepka, who became world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking and remained for 47 weeks after winning the 2018 CJ Cup, was also captured.

USA's Brooks Koepka tees off the 5th (Image: PA)

Australia's Cameron Smith, the reining Open champion, had all eyes on him during day one of the tournament.

Australia's Cameron Smith on the 3rd tee (Image: PA)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who won the last of his four majors at Hoylake in 2014, was captured walking past sepctators.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy makes his way past the spectators (Image: PA)

Police officers have been seen patrolling Royal Liverpool today.

Police on course (Image: PA)

The sun was shining at the 18th green and grandstand today in Hoylake.

A general view of the 18th green and grandstand (Image: PA)