SOUTHPORT, ⁠England, July 16 (Reuters) - Belgium's Thomas Detry set the ⁠early clubhouse lead at the 154th British ‌Open on Thursday with a three-under 67 under sunny skies at Royal Birkdale.

Detry, out in the opening group, took advantage of ​tranquil conditions to card four ⁠birdies and just one ⁠dropped shot.

• The opening tee shot was struck by ⁠Royal ‌Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin at 0535GMT.

• World number one Scottie Scheffler, bidding to become ⁠the first man since Padraig Harrington in ​2008 to ‌retain the title, made a stunning start and ⁠was four ​under after six holes of his opening round.

• Scheffler was playing alongside fellow American Bryson DeChambeau who ⁠also picked up a couple of ​early birdies.

• Local favourite Tommy Fleetwood attracted large galleries and was one under early in his round.

• World ⁠number two Rory McIlroy will begin his campaign alongside 2024 champion Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick at 3:15 p.m. (1415 GMT).

• McIlroy is chasing a seventh ​major title. His sole Open ⁠win came 12 years ago at Royal Liverpool.

• Heatwave ​conditions in the UK have ‌baked the Royal Birkdale course, ​making the fairways hard and fast.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman in Southport; Editing by Toby Davis)