Cameron Smith partners new star Clark in British Open
Ian Chadband |
Cameron Smith will launch the defence of his British Open title in a star-studded group, partnered by fellow top-10 players US Open winner Wyndham Clark and Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele.
The Australian champion has been given a 9.58am (18.58 AEST) tee-off time on Thursday at Royal Liverpool as he seeks to win back-to-back titles following his triumph last year at St Andrews.
After days of rain, an easier start to a cloudy opening day has been predicted with Smith, the world No.7, being accompanied by No.6 Schauffele and Clark, who has risen to No.10 after picking up his first major at the Los Angeles Country Club a month ago.
In the 123rd US Open, Clark, a 29-year-old from Colorado, showed resolve and composure to deny four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and join the game’s elite.
Schauffele is still seeking his maiden major triumph, having tied for second in the 2018 Open at Carnoustie and been runner-up at the following year’s Masters. But he did win the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.
Smith isn’t the only Australian being partnered by major champions.
Adam Scott will go out in the group before Smith at 9.47am (18.47 AEST) with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, like him a former Masters champion, and local favourite Tommy Fleetwood.
Jason Day, the former PGA champion enjoying a revival this season, is also in a marquee group, partnering last year’s US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth.
Australian debutant David Micheluzzi, who says it’s “a dream come true” to be playing his maiden Open after his majors’ debut at the US PGA at Oak Hill, has also landed a star partner – the 2015 Open champion and 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson.
“I hadn’t heard that. That’s great, awesome, perfect,” enthused the 26-year-old from Melbourne when AAP broke the news to him.
Amateur Harrison Crowe will partner rising star Min Woo Lee in an Australian double act – the second time they’ve been paired in a major after also going round Augusta National together at April’s Masters – this time alongside South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
“It’s nice to have someone who you know from home to play alongside,” said 21-year-old Crowe, one of six players after the coveted Silver Medal as leading amateur.
The group bound to attract the biggest galleries will feature home favourite McIlroy with his Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm, the world No.3, and former US Open champion Justin Rose.
McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug the last time the Open was staged at Royal Liverpool in 2014, and won the US PGA Championship a month later, but he hasn’t triumphed in any major since.
Still, the 34-year-old appears to be in top form having won the Scottish Open at the weekend.
AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION ON OPENING DAY OF 151ST BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP ON THURSDAY:
06.57 (15.57 AEST) Lucas Herbert, with Ryan Fox (NZL) & Byeong Hun An (KOR)
09.03 (18.03 AEST) Jason Day, with Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) & Jordan Spieth (USA)
09.47 (18.47 AEST) Adam Scott, with Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) & Scottie Scheffler (USA)
09.58 (18.58 AEST) Cameron Smith, with Xander Schauffele (USA) & Wyndham Clark (USA)
10.42 (19.42 AEST) Haydn Barron, with Oliver Farr (WAL) & Dan Bradby (ENG)
12.20 (21.20 AEST) Travis Smyth, with Romain Langasque (FRA) & Brendon Todd (USA)
12.42 (21.42 AEST) Min Woo Lee, Harrison Crowe (amateur), with Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA)
13.15 (22.15 AEST) David Micheluzzi, with Zach Johnson (USA) & Matt Wallace (ENG)
15.43 (00.43 Friday AEST) Scott McKinney, with Oliver Wilson (ENG) & Guido Migliozzi (ITA)
AAP
