Going off early

With wet weather and wild wind forecasted for Sunday afternoon, the R&A has moved up tee times for the final round at Royal Portrush.

By Nick Menta

The R&A announced Saturday night that tee times for the final round of The 148^th Open Championship at Royal Portrush will be moved up Sunday in an effort to dodge a dicey afternoon forecast.

Play will begin at 2:32 a.m. ET, with the final pairing of Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood going off at 8:47 a.m. ET.

Lowry at 16 under par leads Fleetwood by four and J.B. Holmes by six. The rest of the field sits seven or more behind.

The most recent outlook for Sunday from the Met Office anticipates “persistent and occasionally heavy rain” throughout the afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to gust up to 30mpg, with a 40 percent risk of gusts up to 35mph after 4 p.m. local (11 a.m. ET).

That means Lowry and the rest of the Open hopefuls will face the back nine of the Dunluce Links in the worst conditions of the week.

Click here for full final-round tee times.