Rory McIlroy has been handed the marquee slot of Thursday’s opening round at The Open, teeing off in the final group of the day alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, while defending champion Scottie Scheffler begins his bid for back-to-back Claret Jugs in the morning wave.
According to Sky Sports, the full round one tee times and groupings for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale were confirmed on Monday, with Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin striking the first shot of the Championship at 6.35am. McIlroy goes out at 3.15pm alongside 2024 champion Schauffele and Ryder Cup team-mate Fitzpatrick, in what amounts to a late-early draw for the opening two rounds.
Joe Dean Handed Early Slot Alongside Henrik Stenson And Max Homa
Joe Dean, the former delivery driver who won the Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale to book his place in the field, has been drawn out early at 7.08am alongside Henrik Stenson and Max Homa.
Scheffler’s group, completed by Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, tees off at 9.58am as the world number one chases a feat last managed by Padraig Harrington: winning back-to-back Claret Jugs. Jon Rahm, hoping to become the first LIV Golf member to lift the trophy, goes out at 10.09am alongside Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood.
Sky Sports has confirmed at least 15 hours of live coverage across the first two rounds, with play under way from 6.30am BST on Thursday. The 156-man field McIlroy and Scheffler are chasing was covered in full in Read Golf’s Open Championship field and favourites guide earlier this week.
