Rory McIlroy
2014 champion McIlroy chasing another major at Royal Troon. Getty

KEY POINTS

  • Colin Montgomerie will hit the first ball at Royal Troon.
  • Jordan Spieth tees off with Justin Rose and Shane Lowry.

Rory McIlroy will begin The Open alongside Bubba Watson and Hideki Matsuyama. The 2014 champion begins his quest for a fifth major honour at 9:36am in the opening round at Royal Troon on Thursday 14 July, with Colin Montgomerie to hit the first ball of the Championship.

The 53-year-old Scot has been paired with 2015 runner up Marc Leishman and Luke Donald. Defending champion Zach Johnson begins the defence of his crown alongside Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson, while world No.1 Jason Day tees off with Rickie Fowler and Masters champion Danny Willett.

More about The Open

Jordan Spieth will play alongside Justin Rose and Shane Lowry on the first two days of competition.

US Open champion Dustin Johnson features in one of the afternoon sessions alongside Martin Kaymer and Russell Knox. 52 groups begin their campaigns on Thursday.

Selected groupings and tee times [all times BST]:

Group 1 - 6.35am:
Colin Montgomerie, Marc Leishman, Luke Donald

Group 7 - 7.41am:
Darren Clarke, Thorbjorn Olesen, Jim Furyk

Group 11 - 8.25am:
Padraig Harrington, Louis Oosthuizen, Jamie Donaldson

Group 14 - 9.03am:
Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry

Group 16 - 9.25am:
Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day

Group 17 - 9.36am:
Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson

Group 34 - 12.53pm:
Paul Casey, Charl Schwartzel, Kevin Na

Group 37 - 1.26pm:
Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els

Group 41 - 2.15pm:
Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson