The Open: McIlroy out with Ryder Cup team-mate as tee-times announced

Rory McIlroy will begin his bid to win The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush alongside Justin Thomas and Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood for the first two rounds.

The trio tee off at 3.10pm on Thursday and 10.09am on Friday.

McIlroy's Holywood club-mate Tom McKibbin will be part of the first group out on Thursday. He's paird with two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington - who will hit the first shot of this year's tournament - and Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard at 6.35am.

They'll then take the course on Friday at 11.26am on the Friday.

Shane Lowry, who famously won the tournament the last time it was staged here in 2019, is in one of the marquee groups for the first two days.

He'll be in the same three-ball as World Number One Scottie Scheffle and Collin Morikawa. They're pout at 10.09am on the opening day, before at 3.10pm start on Friday.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele os off with recent US Open winner JJ Spaun and Jon Rahm at 9.58am on Thursday and then 2.59pm the following afternoon.

The full list of tee-times can be found by going to www.theopen.com/teetimes