Open Championship 2024 preview: Full schedule and how to watch golf major action live
The 152nd Open Championship takes place at Royal Troon in Scotland from 18-21 July.
Brian Harman was the surprise victor at Hoylake 12 months ago, converting a five-shot midway lead into a six-stroke winning margin for his first major title.
Another American, world number one Scottie Scheffler, goes into the event as the favourite after six triumphs this season including a second major title at the Masters and back-to-back PLAYERS Championships.
Rory McIlroy is again among the contenders as he seeks to end a decade-long major drought. The Northern Irishman endured more heartache at last month's US Open as three bogeys in the last four holes saw him finish one shot behind Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst.
Reigning Olympic golf champion Xander Schauffele is another challenger after breaking his major duck at May's PGA Championship.
Having missed the cut at Pinehurst, Tiger Woods will play what he says is his last tournament of the year at Troon. The golfing great continues to struggle with injury and is expected to address speculation surrounding his future at a press conference on the Tuesday before the event.
This is the 10th time the Open has come to Troon with Henrik Stenson winning an epic duel with Phil Mickelson in 2016 to become Sweden's first men's major winner on its last visit. Americans had won the previous six Troon Opens with Todd Hamilton a surprise victor in 2004.
Troon is very much a course of two halves. The front nine is usually downwind with a number of birdie opportunities, including at the par-5 6th which at 623 yards will be the longest hole in major history. Two holes later is the famous par-3 'Postage Stamp' which could be as short as 99 yards in one round making it one of the shortest in majors.
The back nine is among the most feared in all golf with the 11th, also known as The Railway, simply fiendish. The railway line is in play for both the tee-shot into a sloping fairway and the approach with par always a good score.
Who is playing at the 2024 Open Championship golf tournament?
A total of 156 men will tee off at Troon on Thursday. That number could have grown to as much as 159, but the top three places at last week's Scottish Open were filled by players who had already qualified for the Open.
Around half of the field comprises the top 50 in the world rankings and the top 30 in both the 2023 DP World Tour money list and PGA Tour Fed Ex Cup. The last 11 Open champions are also included along with winners of other majors during the last seven years.
Sixteen spots went to players who competed in 36-hole qualifying events at four courses across Britain on 2 July. Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose was among those who secured berths at Burnham and Berrow. Rose was just 14 when he first tried to qualify for the Open, and finished tied for fourth on his tournament debut at 17 at Royal Birkdale where he won the low amateur silver medal.
There are 12 amateur players taking part including world amateur number one Gordon Sargent, and Amateur Championship winner Jacob Skov Olesen. The Dane defeated Dominic Clemons in the final of the matchplay event at Ballyliffin in Ireland, with Clemons going on to qualify alongside Rose at Burnham and Berrow.
C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei, who won an epic play-off for bronze at Tokyo 2020, was one of the last players to book his spot at the South Ayrshire course after finishing tied for second at the John Deere Classic the Sunday before last.
2024 Open Championship - Schedule (all times subject to change)
- Thursday 18 July: First round. Three-balls starting on the 1st hole at 6.35am (British Summer Time, UTC+1)
- Friday 19 July: Second round, followed by the cut after 36 holes, with only the top 70 players and ties making the weekend.
- Saturday 20 July: Third round. Pairings starting on the 1st hole at approximately 8.30am.
- Sunday 21 July: Fourth round. Pairings starting on the 1st hole at approximately 7.45am, followed by a three-hole aggregate score play-off - and then sudden death - if required. The Claret Jug and winner's gold medal will be presented after the final player has completed their round.
2024 Open Championship - Players to watch
Scottie Scheffler
The world number one remains the man to beat despite his unexpected brush with the law at the PGA Championship.
Having won four tournaments from his previous five starts, Scheffler was arrested and released ahead of the second round at Valhalla after he tried to enter the venue while police were redirecting traffic. He still managed to finished tied for eighth, eight strokes behind winner Xander Schauffele.
Scheffler's form suffered although he was later cleared of all charges. He shared 41st at the US Open, citing mental fatigue, but bounced back in June to win both the Memorial Tournament and the Travelers Championship in June.
The 28-year-old has not played since, opting to take more time out with wife Meredith and two-month-old son Bennett rather than play the Scottish Open.
He does lack links golf experience compared to some of his rivals with his best Open finish a share of eighth at Royal St George's in 2021. Luck with tee times and the wind are essential for all players and, if he gets that, the best ball-striker in the game should be there or thereabouts on Sunday evening.
Rory McIlroy
There would be no more popular winner at Troon this week than Rory McIlroy.
The 35-year-old has had a turbulent year, missing two short putts on the last three holes to lose out to Bryson Dechambeau at last month's US Open. That near-miss came days after he withdrew divorce proceedings against his wife Erica Stoll.
He was tied for fifth the last time the Open was played at Troon in 2016. That is one of 10 top-five finishes in majors since his last win at the 2014 PGA Championship.
After his Pinehurst setback, the Northern Irishman took an extended break but returned to defend his Scottish Open title at North Berwick's Renaissance Club and adapt to links conditions. McIlroy shot four rounds under 70 to finish tied for fourth, four strokes behind winner Bob McIntyre.
McIlroy returned to number two in the world in May thanks to victory in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, alongside Shane Lowry, and a fourth Wells Fargo Championship title at Quail Hollow.
Ludvig Åberg
College standout Ludvig Åberg took to major golf like a duck to water, finishing second on his debut at this year's Masters. After missing the cut at the PGA and sharing 12th at the US Open, Aberg plays the Open for the first time.
Åberg missed the cut at last year's Scottish Open but this year was a very different story. A pair of 64s and a 65 saw him lead the field after 54 holes. That was despite an incredible stroke of bad luck in round one when his approach shot hit Collin Morikawa's ball and both ended up off the green.
The American two-time major winner, who is certainly an Open contender having won at Royal St George's in 2021 and shared fourth at the Renaissance Club, was able to replace his ball but the 24-year-old had to play from where his finished.
The Swede eventually finished level with Morikawa and McIlroy after three bogeys on the back nine ended his hopes of a third title as a professional. But with his textbook swing and an all-round game showing few signs of weakness, it looks to be a case of when rather than if Åberg wins a major. And he would dearly love to follow compatriot Henrik Stenson in winning the Open at Troon.
2024 Open Championship - Tee times
The full schedule of groups and their starting tee times will be confirmed by organisers on the Tuesday before the tournament.
Further information of the groups can be found on the official Open Championship website.
2024 Open Championship - How to watch live action
Event coverage is available in over 200 countries with digital livestreams and TV broadcasts in most regions.
In the UK, Sky Sports are the main rightsholders with the BBC screening daily highlights.
In the United States, USA Network will broadcast the first two rounds with NBC taking over for rounds three and four. Peacock will stream live coverage during the entire tournament. Check local listings for details elsewhere.