The 150th Open: Tiger Woods grouped with Matt Fitzpatrick; Rory McIlroy alongside Collin Morikawa | Golf News

Collin Morikawa begins title defence alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele; 1999 champion Paul Lawrie to hit the opening tee shot – watch The 150th Open live on Thursday from 6.30am on Sky Sports’ dedicated Open channel

Tiger Woods has been grouped alongside US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Max Homa for the first two rounds of The 150th Open at St Andrews.

Woods, making just his third competitive start since suffering career-threatening injuries in last February’s car crash, has been handed a late-early draw as he searches for a historic 16th major title.

The 46-year-old, a two-time winner at the Old Course, will go out at 14.49 alongside Fitzpatrick – who claimed a breakthrough major title at Brookline last month – and world No 19 Homa.

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Tiger Woods believe his ultimate triumph came when he won at the home of golf twice in 2000 and 2005.

Collin Morikawa, who claimed a two-shot victory on his Open debut in last year’s contest, is among the morning marquee groups as he looks to become the first back-to-back champion since Padraig Harrington.

The world No 8 has been handed a 9.58am start time alongside 2014 champion Rory McIlroy, who missed his title defence through injury when The Open was last held at St Andrews and arrives as one of the pre-tournament favourites after an impressive start to 2022.

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With 33 major titles between them, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus had an iconic picture taken together on Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews.

McIlroy is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this season and finished runner-up at The Masters earlier this year, where he played alongside Morikawa on the final day, with Genesis Scottish Open winner Xander Schauffele completing that group as he chases a third consecutive PGA Tour victory.

Reigning PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas goes out with 2019 winner Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland, while world No 1 Scottie Scheffler begins his bid for a fifth victory of the season and second major title alongside Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton.

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Justin Thomas says Tiger Woods is excited to be in St Andrews for The Open as the pair practiced the Old Course this weekend.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth is out in the group after Woods’ threeball in the afternoon wave, alongside Jon Rahm and Harold Varner III, while 1999 champion Paul Lawrie will hit the opening tee shot at 6.35am on Thursday with Min Woo Lee and Webb Simpson.

Thursday’s key tee times

0958 Collin Morikawa, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele

1009 Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland

1326 Scottie Scheffler, Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton

1459 Tiger Woods, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa

1510 Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Harold Varner III

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Jon Rahm believes winning The Open Championship at St Andrews is the biggest achievement in golf, and says he has always dreamt of playing The Old Course.

When is The Open live on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports The Open will show over 80 hours of live coverage from the iconic Old Course at St Andrews, more than ever before, with live programming on all seven days of tournament week and a host of bonus extra features available to enjoy.

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The waiting is almost over for the final men’s major of the year, with extended coverage from The 150th Open exclusively live on Sky Sports’ dedicated channel.

Live coverage from the opening two rounds will begin at 6.30am – before the opening tee shot – and run through until after play is finished, with wall-to-wall coverage live from 9am on Saturday and 8am for Sunday’s final round.

There will be lots of extra action throughout all four days via the red button on Sky Sports The Open, along with Sky Q and Sky Glass, with Featured Groups and Featured Holes available to enjoy as the world’s best players tackle the Home of Golf.

Watch The 150th Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports’ dedicated channel. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 6.30am live on Sky Sports The Open.