British Open 2016: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions
The world's oldest major golf competition gets under way on Thursday when the 2016 British Open begins at Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Some of the biggest names in the sport will be participating in the 145th edition of the competition, including Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and world No. 1 Jason Day.
The Ayrshire course will host the tournament for the ninth year, with Zach Johnson returning to defend his 2015 crown.
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Read on for a closer look at what to expect, but first here are all the details you need to ensure you catch all the action.
Date: Thursday, July 14
Time: 1.30 a.m. ET/6.30 a.m. BST
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
| Rory McIlroy +700 | 7-1 |
| Jordan Spieth +700 | 7-1 |
| Jason Day +700 | 7-1 |
| Dustin Johnson +1000 | 10-1 |
| Adam Scott +1800 | 18-1 |
| Rickie Fowler +2200 | 22-1 |
| Justin Rose +2200 | 22-1 |
| Sergio Garcia +2200 | 22-1 |
| Daniel Willett +2500 | 25-1 |
| Branden Grace +2500 | 25-1 |
| Henrik Stenson +2800 | 28-1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen +3300 | 33-1 |
| Phil Mickelson +3300 | 33-1 |
| Shane Lowry +3300 | 33-1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama +4000 | 40-1 |
| Bubba Watson +4000 | 40-1 |
| Martin Kaymer +4000 | 40-1 |
| Brooks Koepka +4000 | 40-1 |
| Lee Westwood +4000 | 40-1 |
| Paul Casey +5000 | 50-1 |
| Patrick Reed +5000 | 50-1 |
| Zach Johnson +5000 | 50-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker +5000 | 50-1 |
| Jim Furyk +5000 | 50-1 |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick +5000 | 50-1 |
| Charl Schwartzel +5000 | 50-1 |
| Tiger Woods +6600 | 66-1 |
| Graeme McDowell +6600 | 66-1 |
| Jimmy Walker +6600 | 66-1 |
| Justin Thomas +6600 | 66-1 |
| Matt Kuchar +6600 | 66-1 |
| Marc Leishman +6600 | 66-1 |
Visit Odds Shark for a breakdown of the odds list in full.
Predictions
Johnson returns in a positive mood to the venue that saw him crowned champion 12 months ago. The 40-year-old made his debut at the tournament in 2004 and thinks fondly of the iconic surroundings. Although he is not among the favourites to lift the Claret Jug this year, the double major winner remains excited ahead of the Championship. Per the Irish Examiner, he said:
"My thoughts are 100 per cent positive in the sense that, I guess, technically I'm still Champion Golfer of the Year. Since I played in this golf tournament, which was actually here was my first, my love for it was immense and immediate, and it's my favourite to play. I mean, I just I appreciate it, I love it. I think I've embraced it. You have to, the conditions are what they are.
"
Johnson took to social media to reveal his sadness over handing back the historic trophy:
Day arrives in Scotland at the summit of the rankings. The Australian 28-year-old has experience of lifting majors following his success at the PGA Championship last year. Following a disappointing WGC-Bridgestone Invitational—where Day fell from the top of the leaderboard in the final stages—he is desperate to make amends.
At a press conference ahead of the Open, Day said:
"I'm just trying to get as good as I can and the only way to do that is to learn from failure, and the way you look at it is not in a negative way. You have to look at it in a positive light.
Even though I don't like losing, it was great to be able to learn something from that and turn this into what I would say was a learning experience and try to move forward and get better from it.
"
Meanwhile, for one-time Open winner McIlroy, the Northern Irishman has failed to bounce back from a disappointing 2015 in the manner he will have expected. The British Open provides a perfect opportunity for him to mark his season with success in a major.
The challenging course, combined with the inclement weather, could play into McIlroy's hands, as suggested by golf writer James Corrigan of the Telegraph:
Take a look at how the weather could affect the outcome of this weekend's action:
Colin Montgomerie has been selected to start the legendary tournament, with the Scottish player hitting the opening tee shot in the first round of the competition.
World No. 3 Jordan Spieth, who will not take part in the Rio Olympics in July after announcing his withdrawal on Monday, according to BBC Sport, missed out on the 2015 title after a 17th hole bogey.
The American youngster is among the key protagonists to challenge for the win and will have the chance to complete the task this time around when he takes to the tee on Thursday.
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