Rory McIlroy set to compete at The Open
Rory McIlroy will tee off alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick at 3.15pm on Thursday as The 154th Open gets underway at Royal Birkdale, reports BritPanorama.
As the world number two, McIlroy is chasing his first Claret Jug since his triumph in 2014. He enters the tournament fresh from a Masters victory earlier this year, aiming to cap off a successful major season with another win.
McIlroy faces strong competition in his grouping. Schauffele is a former champion, having won at Royal Troon two years ago, while Fitzpatrick has secured three PGA Tour victories this season and seeks to become the first Englishman to win The Open since Sir Nick Faldo.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will start his campaign at 9.58am, paired with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau. Despite missing the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, the world number one remains a pre-tournament favourite, aiming to achieve a feat not seen since Padraig Harrington retained the Claret Jug.
DeChambeau, who has yet to make the cut in any major this season, will be keen to change his fortunes as he competes in this prestigious event. On the opposite side of the draw, local member Matt Baldwin will have the honour of hitting the first shot of the championship at 6.35am after successfully navigating the Final Qualifying.
Southport-born Tommy Fleetwood, who enjoys local support, is set to tee off at 10.09am alongside Jon Rahm and 2017 champion Jordan Spieth. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre has been paired with Rickie Fowler and Alex Fitzpatrick for an early start at 7.19am.
Justin Rose, tied for fourth place as a 17-year-old amateur at this venue in 1998, will play with Viktor Hovland and Russell Henley at 9.36am, while PGA champion Aaron Rai groups with 2019 Open winner Shane Lowry and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka for a 2.53pm start.
In a noteworthy matchup, Joe Dean, who claimed victory in the Last-Chance Qualifier, will compete alongside 2016 champion Henrik Stenson and Max Homa, beginning at 7.08am.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the marquee groups and how they navigate the challenges at Royal Birkdale, a course steeped in history and competitive spirit.
