The Open Championship 2019 leaderboard LIVE: Day three latest as Shane Lowry and JB Holmes start round as leaders

THE OPEN has returned to Northern Ireland for the first time in almost 70 years.

Below, you can view the live leaderboard, watch video highlights and follow all the action from the third round in the rolling blog. To follow the live blog click on ‘Live Text’ below.

Five hardest holes at Royal Portrush

White Rocks – 5th hole, Par 4, 374 yards

This downhill hole can be just about reachable in one for the longest hitters if they get favourable conditions with the wind behind.

They will need a lucky bounce, though, with the many humps and bumps in the fairway prone to kicking the ball offline.

The rough is also particularly thick here, with the beach and sea over the back of the green all too eager to gobble up any approach hit slightly long. Be brave. But don’t be stupid.

Harry Colt’s – 6th hole, Par 3, 194 yards

This typically plays as the hardest of all the par 3s and during the Irish Open in 2012 was the third toughest hole on the course.

The huge, pear-shaped green with mounds and swales galore demands pinpoint accuracy from the tee, especially if the hole is placed right at the back, where the putting surface sucks in dramatically.

There is not one bunker on this hole and players will be delighted to walk off with par on all four days.

Tavern – 9th hole, Par 4, 432 yards

Traditionally this hole is the toughest at Portrush and is a right to left dog-leg with the front of the green protected by a big mound on the left.

Interestingly, entry to the tee box will be via a newly constructed tunnel, which should create an electric atmosphere as players bid for the Claret Jug on Sunday.

Competitors will need to control their adrenaline as well as their shots if they want to walk off this hole – which used to be played as a par 5 – without suffering disaster.

Calamity Corner – 16th hole, Par 3, 236 yards

Picture the scene: you lead the Open by one shot with three holes to go. The game’s top players are breathing down your neck. You pray for an easy finish… then you’re greeted by this brute of a par 3.

The average score in 2012 was 3.19 even though the green itself is a massive target.

In 1951, when the Open was last played at Portrush, the legendary Bobby Locke purposely played short left of the green and chipped up each time, rather than going right and into certain danger.

He made par each time and, though unconventional, that could be the best way to tackle this hole.

Babington’s – 18th hole, Par 4, 474 yards

With the approach and green surrounded by the massive grandstand, the 18th, which usually plays as one of the toughest holes on the course, provides a dramatic setting for what is sure to be a pressure-packed finish.

Go strong off the tee and you have a shorter iron left in – but you need to avoid the two bunkers and deep rough.

Protecting a lead? Then you can lay up further back to the wider landing area but be left with a long iron in which you more than likely will need to run up the severely undulating apron just short of the putting surface.