Opening tee shot

Two-time Champion Golfer of the Year Padraig Harrington will hit the opening tee shot at The 153rd Open to start the race for the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush.

Harrington will follow in the footsteps of Darren Clarke, who hit the first shot at Royal Portrush six years ago, and the likes of Paul Lawrie, Matthew Jordan and Justin Leonard in recent years.

The Irishman will be on the 1st tee at 6:35am on Thursday alongside two playing partners, with the rest of the draw to be announced at 2pm on Tuesday.

Harrington is one of five players from the island of Ireland in the field, with fellow Champion Golfers Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, and Tom McKibbin.

He is also the last player to win the Claret Jug in successive years, after beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off to win The 136th Open at Carnoustie in 2007 and then overhauling Greg Norman to defend his title at Royal Birkdale a year later.

A three-time major champion, Harrington also won the US PGA Championship in 2008 and was a member of six consecutive Ryder Cup teams between 1999 and 2010.