The Open: Brian O'Driscoll impressed with 'absolutely magnificent' Royal Portrush

The 40-year-old ex-Leinster centre was one of many high profile sports stars who were at Royal Portrush today to watch the opening day of the final golf major of the year.

O’Driscoll, a keen golfer and an ambassador for event sponsors HSBC, was impressed with the set-up at the Dunluce Links.

“It’s been great,” he told the News Letter. “I was lucky enough to get to play it five weeks ago. It’s absolutely magnificent.

“I think it’s the biggest Open they’ve ever had and the biggest attendance they’ve ever had. It’s brilliant that Northern Ireland is showcasing what it’s capable of in hosting world class events.”

Glad to be back at the Co Antrim coast, despite the changeable weather, he continued: “It’s a beautiful part of the country and when the sun shines there are some incredible views.

“I have been to a number of the British Opens in the last five years with HSBC and I think this tournament has the makings of being better than all the previous ones.”

O’Driscoll, who captained Ireland from 2003 until 2012, said it is too early to call who might win the Claret Jug come Sunday afternoon, but was happy that Offaly man Shane Lowry has “given himself a fighting chance”.

Another sportsman following today’s action was former Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes. And he too was impressed by what he saw at Royal Portrush.

“It’s brilliant. It’s the first time I’ve been to a golf event like this. I’ve watched golf at the Olympics, but this is a different ball game altogether. It’s like having an Olympic village on the course. It’s unbelievable to see the best golfers in the world and see how they play,” he said.

Barnes, who is training for his next professional fight, which will take place in Belfast on August 3, insists that despite Rory McIlroy’s bad opening round “he can pull it back” tomorrow.

Co Antrim-based PGA professional Eamonn Logue described the set-up at Royal Portrush as "absolutely superb".

He said for anyone taking a break from watching the golf, there was still plenty to keep them entertained.

"There is a great variety of things for people to do in the spectator village," he said.

"At a couple of other Opens I've been to there was less for people to do, but here it's fantastic and there is a lot more variety to keep people entertained."

Eamonn, the professional at Hilton Templepatrick, was at The Open promoting his course.

"We have been trying to get the word out that after the problems we had last year with the greens we are now back fully open and playable," he said.

"It's been great. We've had a really encouraging response from people."

Meanwhile, three rising stars of the game were delighted to get some top tips from nine-time major winner Gary Player.

The 83-year-old South African posed for pictures with Irish Junior Open Series competitors Harry O’Hara (Clandeboye), Parker Bonnes (Galgorm Castle) and Tiernan Bradley (Buncrana) in the spectator village.

Player, who won The Open Championship is 1959, 1968 and 1974, spoke to the three talented youngsters about the importance of committing to practice.