Open tee-off times set for Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Tom McKibbin on first day at Royal Troon

The Northern Irishman, who faltered over the final few holes in last month’s US Open at Pinehurst to allow Bryson DeChambeau to win, will continue his quest for a first major victory in a decade at 10.09am alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton and American Max Homa.

McIlroy won the last of his four majors at the 2014 US PGA Championship, a month after lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool and since then his record at the Open has brought five top-six finishes in seven outings.

Defending champion Brian Harman goes out in a group with Viktor Hovland and Sahith Theegala immediately ahead of McIlroy at 9.58am, while world number one Scottie Scheffler is out at 3.10pm, with 2017 Open champion Jordan Spieth and fellow American Cameron Young.

Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is off at 2.37pm on Thursday alongside US PGA champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

The victorious Ryder Cup trio of Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and home favourite Robert MacIntyre – winner of the Scottish Open on Sunday – begin at 9.36am, with another of Europe’s heroes Ludvig Aberg in the next group at 9.47am with DeChambeau and Tom Kim.

The first shot of the 152nd Championship will be hit by Justin Leonard, winner of the Claret Jug at Troon in in 1997, at 6.35am after being paired with another Troon champion, Todd Hamilton and qualifier Jack McDonald, whose grandad is an honorary member at the club.

Joining McIlroy in the field at Royal Troon will be two other Northern Ireland names – Darren Clarke as a past Open champion and Tom McKibbin thanks to the qualifying series pathway.

McKibbin is in the second group out on Thursday- starting at 6.46am alongside Sweden’s Alex Noren and Scotland-born amateur Calum Scott.

Clarke’s tee-off time is set at 1.48pm with JT Poston of America and South Africa’s Dean Burmester.