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    British Open 2018: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions

    Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenFeatured ColumnistJuly 17, 2018

    US golfer Jordan Spieth poses for pictures as he kisses the Claret Jug, the trophy for the Champion golfer of the year, in front of the Art-Deco-style clubhouse, after winning the 2017 British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale golf course near Southport in north west England on July 23, 2017. Jordan Spieth won the British Open at Royal Birkdale on Sunday by three shots. It is Spieth's third major title after he won the Masters and US Open in 2015. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BUCHANAN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)
    AFP Contributor/Getty Images

    Jordan Spieth will be looking to defend his British Open title at Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland, in 2018, but recent history is against him.

    Eight of the last nine winners of golf's oldest major have all been first-time champions, and Padraig Harrington was the last to win back-to-back Opens in 2008.

    As ever, there is a strong field for the Open, led by world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, 2014 champion Rory McIlroy, the in-form Justin Rose, champion Spieth and three-time Claret Jug winner Tiger Woods.

    POTOMAC, MD - JULY 01: Tiger Woods smiles on the 18th green during the final round of the Quicken Loans National at TPC Potomac on July 1, 2018 in Potomac, Maryland. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
    Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

    All the action kicks off on Thursday, with 1985 champion Sandy Lyle, Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan leading the way in the opening threesome at 6:35 a.m. BST (1:35 a.m. ET). 

    Viewers in the UK can watch all the action from all four days on Sky Sports Golf (coverage begins at 6:30 a.m. BST on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. BST on Saturday and 8 a.m. BST on Sunday). 

    Meanwhile, the first two days of the 147th Open Championship will be broadcast in the United States by the Golf Channel from 1:30 a.m. ET, and NBC will show the weekend's action from 7 a.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. 

    Fans can also find coverage from across the four days on the tournament's website.

    British Open 2018: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions
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    Full odds for the tournament can be found via OddsShark. Here are the top 10 favourites:

              

    Dustin Johnson 12-1

    Rory McIlroy 16-1

    Justin Rose 16-1

    Rickie Fowler 16-1

    Jordan Spieth 20-1

    Jon Rahm 20-1

    Tommy Fleetwood 20-1

    Brooks Koepka 22-1

    Justin Thomas 22-1

    Tiger Woods 22-1

                      

    Carnoustie provides even the best players in the world with a challenge.

    When the course last hosted the Open in 2007, Harrington prevailed in a play-off against Sergio Garcia after both finished seven under par for the tournament.

    There was also a play-off eight years earlier in 1999 when Paul Lawrie triumphed against Justin Leonard and Jean van de Velde.

    The trio finished the tournament tied on six over par, with the Frenchman famously walking to the 18th tee on Sunday with a three-shot lead only to card a disastrous triple-bogey seven. 

    SOUTHAMPTON, NY - JUNE 17: Justin Rose of England walks off on the 13th green during the final round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 17, 2018 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
    Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

    Lawrie was the last Scottish winner of the Open. Russell Knox, Grant Forrest, Scott Jamieson, Lyle and amateur Sam Locke will be looking to emulate him in 2018, but a home winner seems unlikely.

    From just over the border in England, though, Rose has a fine chance. 

    His best result at the Open remains 1998 at Royal Birkdale—he finished in a tie for fourth as an amateur.

    However, the 37-year-old's consistency and excellent scrambling skills make him a good candidate to prevail in the historically nasty conditions at Carnoustie.

    Predicted winner: Justin Rose by two shots.