Players have discovered which side of the draw they have been given ahead of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The weather forecast for the days ahead is extremely changeable with multiple patches of rain, sunshine, blustery winds and even the possibility of a thunderstorm or two on the cards.
With that in mind, starting times across the first two days will be crucial as – first and foremost – the big names will want to ensure they make it through to the weekend.
One man who failed to do that last time Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links hosted was Rory McIlroy. He posted a quadruple bogey eight on the opening hole and went on to miss the cut as Shane Lowry took over the majority of home support on his way to winning.
As the World No.2 tries to at least stick around for all four days this time, he will play alongside Ryder Cup teammate, Tommy Fleetwood and two-time Major winner, Justin Thomas in the afternoon-morning wave across Thursday and Friday’s action.
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The world-class trio make up Game 46 and will begin from the first at 3:10pm BST – the seventh-last group of the opening day. When they each begin their respective quests to either power on near the top or simply make the cut on Friday, the hat-trick of fan favorites will be Game 20 and tee off at 10:09am BST.
Another Ryder Cup-themed trio have been drawn with an afternoon start time on Thursday. Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Rose could be facing off at Bethpage Black later this year, but first they will meet on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush at 2:48pm BST.
The following day, MacIntyre, DeChambeau and Rose have been scheduled to begin as Game 18 at 9:47am BST.
In between McIlroy and DeChambeau’s groups on both days – in what is sure to be a heavily-followed series of tee times – are Viktor Hovland, Jordan Spieth and Ludvig Aberg. The Scandinavian pair and their American playing partner will go off as Game 19 on Thursday at 2:59pm BST before switching to Game 19 at 9:58am BST on Friday.
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On the opposite side of the draw are two groups of Major-winning powerhouses. Starting at 9:58am BST on Thursday, defending champion Xander Schauffele, US Open winner JJ Spaun and two-time Major winner Jon Rahm will begin their week…
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