McIlroy paired with Rahm as six Irish hopefuls handed great Open draws

Rory McIlroy will get his bid for a second Open Championship and first major win in nine years underway alongside Masters champion Jon Rahm and 2013 US Open winner Justin Rose at Royal Liverpool.

Defending course champion McIlroy will begin his campaign at 14.59 on Thursday afternoon before returning at 09.58 on Friday morning.

For the remaining five Irish players it’s early, late starts for the first 36 holes including an intriguing Irish pairing of Pádraig Harrington and Seamus Power who will be joined by LIV Golf star Talor Gooch.

Harrington is bidding for his third Claret Jug and will get underway at 09.14 before teeing off at 14.15 in round two on Friday afternoon.

Shane Lowry was early, late in the draw when he won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush and he has been drawn alongside the resurgent Rickie Fowler and Scottish Open nearly man Robert MacIntyre with tee times set for 10.09 and 15.10.

2011 Open champion Darren Clarke will rub shoulders with Ryder Cup hopefuls Victor Perez and Thomas Pieters while Laytown and Bettystown amateur Alex Maguire will share the fairways with former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel  in the fourth group off the first tee tomorrow.