British Open 2014 TV schedule: Who to watch Thursday
The 143rd golf championship tees off very early Thursday morning, at least for television viewers in the United States. American returns to defend his title from a year ago, along with 14 other former champions and 156 competitors overall, at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.
The tournament will start with the threesome of former champion of the US, Sweden's , and of Britain teeing off at 1:25 a.m. Eastern time.
Some other interesting pairings include a trio of former British Open champs 鈥� Americans and , and Scotland's 鈥� getting started at 2:42 a.m. Eastern.
Two sentimental tournament favorites, former champions of the US and Northern Ireland's , along with American , tee off at 3:26 a.m. Eastern.
makes his return to major competitive golf this weekend at the British Open, his first major this season following back surgery. The three-time British Open champion tees off at 4:04 a.m. Eastern, playing with Argentina's and of Sweden.
Woods has not won a British Open since 2006 and his last majors win was in 2008. But his confidence is not flagging. He was asked , "Given your limited preparation coming in here, what would be an acceptable finish for you this weekend?"
Woods replied: "First."
Some up-and-coming stars of the pro golf world will start their round at 4:26 a.m. Former US Open and PGA champion will be joined by of the US and Japan's .
More former Open champions tee off at 5:10 a.m. Three-time Open champ is paired up with former champ of the US and Canadian .
Current US Open and Players champion is paired with Australia's and former Masters champion of the US. This trio will tee off at 8:38 a.m.
Another group of championship-caliber players will tee off at 9:05 a.m. Defending champion Phil Mickelson will play with former two-time Open winner and two-time Masters champion .
Finally, 1995 British Open champion of the US, he of the colorful golf outfits (or "kit," as the British would call it), tees off at 10 a.m. Eastern time with Englishmen and .
The British Open will be televised in the US on ESPN and WatchESPN.com, beginning at 4 a.m. Eastern time Thursday.
