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McIlroy’s late start
Rory McIlroy returns to his home region for the 153rd British Open at Portrush, with the Nord-Irishman saying it is a “plaisir” to come back for the 153e British Open, disputed de jeudi à dimanche à Portrush for the first time since 2019.
“The year’s final major is upon us”
McIlroy’s Portrush campaign is framed by his 2019 disappointment, when he “avait manqué le cut” after a “quadruple bogey dès le premier trou,” and he said he is trying to “J’essaie d’oublier.”
On the course of 6.750 mètres, par 71, McIlroy will begin his first round at 16h10 (heure de Paris) alongside Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood, while the BBC and Liverpool Echo both place him in a late wave for the opening round at Royal Birkdale.
Liverpool Echo also confirmed that McIlroy “will not go out until 3.15pm” on Thursday, when he plays alongside 2024 winner Xander Schauffele and Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick, after the reigning Masters champion was handed a late draw.
Featured groups revealed
The tee-time picture for the Open Championship is built around marquee pairings, with Liverpool Echo confirming that world number one and defending champion Scottie Scheffler tees off at 09:58 on Thursday alongside Bryson DeChambeau and England’s Tyrrell Hatton.
In that same draw, Liverpool Echo set Tommy Fleetwood’s start at 10:09, joining Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm, while it listed Matt Baldwin as the opening tee-shot starter at 6.35am after qualifying at Dundonald.
Sky Sports likewise placed McIlroy in the late wave at Royal Birkdale, saying he “tees off at 3.15pm on Thursday afternoon” as he chases a second major win of the season.
Sky Sports also quoted Sir Nick Faldo on the draw, saying: “links golf is a flip of the coin on which side of the draw you really want to be.”
What’s at stake
With the Open Championship set to run at Royal Birkdale and the tee times for the first rounds already published, the stakes in the sources center on title defense and a return to major glory, with Sky Sports noting Scheffler begins his bid to become the first back-to-back winner since Padraig Harrington.
“British Open 2026 Tee Times & Pairings for Rory McIlroy, Scheffler and Top Stars in Rounds 1 & 2 The tee times and pairings for the 2026 Open Championship were revealed by Golf Digest's Ryan Herrington on Monday”
Sky Sports also ties McIlroy’s schedule to his goal of winning The Open for the first time since 2014, stating he is “in the late wave as he looks to bookend his major season with victories and win The Open for the first time since 2014.”
The Open’s draw coverage in The Open’s own release similarly frames the featured groups, placing Scheffler, DeChambeau and Hatton out at 9:58am on Thursday and Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick out at 3:15pm in round one.
In that same release, The Open App and R&A TV are positioned as the way to follow the featured groups live, with One Club members able to watch Featured Group coverage live on The Open App and R&A TV.
