British Open Schedule 2016: Tee Times, Live Stream and TV Coverage Listings
Despite all the elite golfers competing in the 145th British Open, Mother Nature may make the biggest impact in 2016's third major.
According to Weather.com, the forecast anticipates regular rain and large gusts of wind at Royal Troon Golf Club. Everyone fighting for the Claret Jug must navigate an uncooperative climate and a loaded field of stars teeing off in Scotland.
Weather permitting, the opening round will kick off early Thursday morning. Below is a look at the full TV schedule and Thursday's most notable tee times. Check out TheOpen.com for the full listing.
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| 6:35 a.m. | 1:35 a.m. | Colin Montgomerie, Marc Leishman, Luke Donald (first group) |
| 8:03 a.m. | 3:03 a.m. | Branden Grace, Patrick Reed, Byeong Hun An |
| 9:03 a.m. | 4:03 a.m. | Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry |
| 9:25 a.m. | 4:25 a.m. | Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day |
| 9:36 a.m. | 4:36 a.m. | Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson |
| 1:26 p.m. | 8:26 a.m. | Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els |
| 2:04 p.m. | 9:04 a.m. | Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Russell Knox |
| 2:15 p.m. | 9:15 a.m. | Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson |
| 2:48 p.m. | 9:48 a.m. | Anirban Lahiri, Sergio Garcia, Keegan Bradley |
| 4:16 p.m. | 11:16 a.m. | Ryan Evans, Callum Shinkwin, Zander Lombard (last group) |
| Thur., July 14 | 1:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Fri., July 15 | 1:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Sat., July 16 | 4 a.m. - 7 a.m. | Golf Channel |
| 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | NBC | |
| Sun. July 17 | 4 a.m. - 7 a.m. | Golf Channel |
| 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. | NBC |
Live Stream: Golf Live Extra
Preview
Back-to-back victories in the U.S. Open and World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational have Dustin Johnson sitting on top of the world. Now that he has removed the major monkey from his back, the rolling American is a favorite to strike again.
Odds Shark lists the 32-year-old as a co-favorite with Jason Day, the world's top-ranked golfer whose late Bridgestone collapse opened a window for Johnson's most recent triumph.
Per USA Today's Steve DiMeglio, Johnson commented on his hot streak after his July 3 victory in Ohio:
"I feel great. I feel like my game is where it has been all year. I feel like I've been playing really solid all year. I've been driving it great. I've been wedging it good. It's just I haven't been putting quite as well as I'd like to, and the last couple weeks I've just putted a little bit better, and the game shows it. ... My driver’s been great. I feel if I get it into the fairway, I’m going to be tough to beat.
"
He has faltered recently at the British Open, but he's still one of the top competitors to watch over the next few days. While gunning for back-to-back majors, he must overcome the last person to claim two titles in a row.
Let's not forget that Jordan Spieth owned the sport before his underwhelming U.S. Open display. Before tying for 37th at the Oakmont Country Club, the 22-year-old budding star rattled off two titles and a pair of runner-up finishes. By comparison, his fourth-place tie at last year's Open Championship makes this his worst major.
Poor U.S. Open aside, he maintains a No. 3 world ranking with two PGA Tour victories and six top-10 finishes this season. Per the PGA Tour's official Twitter page, he tops the field in a few important categories:
Johnson, Day, Spieth and Rory McIlroy remain the top contenders, but Sergio Garcia has emerged as a popular pick to seize the Claret Jug.
The 36-year-old has come close countless times over his career, but he has no major victory to show for his 20 top-10 finishes. As noted by Golf Channel, he has sniffed the elusive title most often at The Open Championship:
He was the only golfer who met all of ESPN Stats & Info's criteria, including success in past Open tournaments and recent tournaments, as noted by Matt Willis. Experience also works in his favor, as 10 of the last 11 winners made at least six prior Open appearances. Garcia, commencing his 20th try on Thursday, clears the barrier easily.
Along with colleague Kyle Porter, CBS Sports' Robby Kalland predicted Garcia would end the major drought this weekend:
"The way Garcia has played recently, coupled with his performances in recent British Opens (T2 and T6 the last two tries), makes me think this is the year. He was close at the U.S. Open and just recently won the HP Byron Nelson. Let's make this is the year of ending years of major sadness with back-to-back wins by Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia.
"
Perhaps everything is falling perfectly in place for him to stop the suffering once and for all. Or maybe a nice narrative is funneling everyone in Garcia's direction with hopes of unlocking a feel-good story.
Even if he doesn't top the leaderboard, he's a strong bet to finish somewhere near the apex.
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