Tee times are announced for the final round of The Open, as the tournament reaches its thrilling conclusion. The leaders head out early, as they look to secure their place in golfing history.
Tee Times Announced for Dramatic Open Finale
The highly anticipated tee times for the final round of The Open have been released, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the historic tournament. With just 18 holes remaining, the world’s best golfers will battle it out for the coveted Claret Jug.
Rory McIlroy, the 2014 Open champion, will tee off at 2:50 PM alongside fellow Irishman Shane Lowry. McIlroy has been in fine form throughout the tournament and will be looking to add another major to his impressive resume. Lowry, who won the 2019 Open, will also be a formidable contender.
Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick will join Viktor Hovland and US Amateur champion James Piot in the final group at 3:00 PM. Fitzpatrick is the highest-ranked British player in the field and will be determined to become the first home winner since 2011. Hovland is one of the most exciting young golfers in the world and will be aiming to make a major breakthrough, while Piot will be hoping to cap off an incredible amateur year with a memorable performance.
Other notable tee times include:
- Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, at 2:30 PM with Patrick Cantlay
- Jon Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion, at 2:10 PM with Cameron Smith
| Player | Tee Time |
|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | 2:50 PM |
| Shane Lowry | 2:50 PM |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 3:00 PM |
| Viktor Hovland | 3:00 PM |
| James Piot | 3:00 PM |
| Scottie Scheffler | 2:30 PM |
| Patrick Cantlay | 2:30 PM |
| Jon Rahm | 2:10 PM |
| Cameron Smith | 2:10 PM |
The weather forecast for the final round is promising, with sunny skies and light winds expected. The course is playing exceptionally well and will present a stern test for the remaining players. With so much quality at the top of the leaderboard, the final round promises to be a captivating spectacle that will keep golf fans on the edge of their seats until the very last putt drops.
McIlroy in Prime Position for Claret Jug Pursuit
Early Lead in Northern Ireland
Rory McIlroy will begin the final round of The Open with a one-shot lead after carding a superb six-under 65 at Royal Portrush on Saturday. The Northern Irishman, who won the tournament in 2014, is looking to become the first player to win the Claret Jug on home soil since Max Faulkner in 1951.
McIlroy will be joined in the final pairing by Shane Lowry, who is also in contention for his first major title. The Irishman is one shot behind McIlroy and will be looking to make history of his own by becoming the first Irish player to win the Open since Padraig Harrington in 2008.
Tough Task Ahead
McIlroy and Lowry will face a tough task in the final round, with a number of players within striking distance. Justin Rose, who is seeking to win his second Open title, is two shots behind in third place, while Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood are three shots back in a tie for fourth.
Full List of Tee Times
The full list of tee times for the fourth round of The Open is as follows:
| Group | Time | Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 08:30 | Cameron Smith, Tyrrell Hatton, Hideki Matsuyama |
| 2 | 08:40 | Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay |
| 3 | 08:50 | Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar |
| 4 | 09:00 | Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler |
| 5 | 09:40 | Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood |
All eyes will be on McIlroy and Lowry on Sunday as they battle it out for the Claret Jug. With a number of other players also in contention, it promises to be a thrilling final round at Royal Portrush.
Spieth, Fleetwood Face Off in Top Contender Clash
In a highly anticipated matchup, two of the game’s top contenders, Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood, will face off in the fourth round of The Open. Spieth, the three-time major champion, has been in impressive form this week, carding rounds of 69, 68, and 68 to sit just three shots off the lead. Fleetwood, the 2018 Race to Dubai champion, has also been solid, shooting rounds of 70, 68, and 67 to put himself in contention.
The two players have a storied history, having battled it out on numerous occasions in the past. Spieth holds a slight edge in head-to-head matchups, winning three of their five previous encounters. However, Fleetwood has been in excellent form this year, winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and finishing in the top 10 in six of his last eight starts.
The matchup is sure to be a thrilling one, as both players have the potential to produce a low score. Spieth is known for his exceptional ball-striking and putting, while Fleetwood is a long hitter with a great short game. The winner of this showdown will likely be in contention for the Claret Jug come Sunday.
Spieth and Fleetwood will tee off at 2:50 PM BST on Sunday, July 22nd. They will be playing alongside reigning Open champion Shane Lowry.
Tee Times for the Fourth Round of The Open
| Tee Time | Player | |
|---|---|---|
| 2:30 PM | Shane Lowry | |
| 2:50 PM | Jordan Spieth | |
| 2:50 PM | Tommy Fleetwood | |
| 2:50 PM | Rory McIlroy | |
| 3:00 PM | Jon Rahm | |
| 3:00 PM | Bryson DeChambeau | |
| 3:00 PM | Dustin Johnson | |
| 3:10 PM | Justin Thomas | |
| 3:10 PM | Collin Morikawa | |
| 3:10 PM | Xander Schauffele |
Surprise Package Fitzpatrick Seeks to Upset the Favorites
Recent standout Matthew Fitzpatrick will play in a group of major champions on the final day of the 150th Open. After 54 holes at St Andrews, Fitzpatrick is currently tied for second place with Rory McIlroy. He will play alongside former Masters champion Patrick Reed and 2020 US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau on the Scottish coast. Fitzpatrick is looking to join this impressive list of major winners, but he won’t have it easy on Sunday. His group will be chasing overnight leader Cameron Smith of Australia, who holds a two-shot cushion.
Fitzpatrick has been in excellent form this year, with five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour including a win at the US Open. A victory at St Andrews would be a huge addition to his resume, and he would climb the world rankings. The Englishman is not afraid of the challenge and would relish the opportunity to pull off an upset on the iconic Old Course.
“I’m playing well, and I’m feeling good about my game”, said Fitzpatrick. ”I know it’s going to be difficult, but I’ll be giving it my all. I’m loving every minute of being here, and I can’t wait to get started on Sunday.”
Fitzpatrick is one of several players who will be looking to upset the favorites on Sunday. Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Francesco Molinari are all within striking distance of Smith and Fitzpatrick. All three players have a chance to claim their first major title at St Andrews.
| Group Tee Time | |
|---|---|
| Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Cameron Young | 09:50 BST |
| Rory McIlroy, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Bryson DeChambeau | 10:30 BST |
| Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele | 10:40 BST |
| Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hattton, Francesco Molinari | 11:00 BST |
With the fourth round of The Open set to tee off, the stage is set for an enthralling finish at Royal Troon. Rory McIlroy holds a narrow one-shot lead over Sergio Garcia, but a host of challengers lurk close behind. The likes of Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson, and Justin Rose will all be looking to make a final-round surge and claim the Claret Jug. The weather forecast is predicting favorable conditions, which could lead to a low-scoring day. The winner of this year’s Open will join an illustrious group of champions who have lifted the iconic trophy.
