Open champion Padraig Harrington will be accompanied by two former Major winners when he begins the defence of his title at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.
The Irishman has been paired with TaylorMade professional Retief Goosen, a two-time winner of the US Open, and Justin Leonard, who lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Troon in 1997, for the first two rounds.
Sergio Garcia, last year''s runner-up and the favourite for victory this week with the bookmakers, will play alongside American Sean O''Hair and Japan''s Ryuji Imada. All three have won on the PGA Tour this season.
England''s leading golfer Justin Rose has been drawn with Australia''s Aaron Baddeley and the legendary Tom Watson, who has won the event five times.
World number two Phil Mickelson will play with Paul Casey and Hideto Tanihara, while Ernie Els, the 2002 champion, will tee off alongside Scott Verplank and Ryder Cup hopeful Martin Kaymer.
Australia''s Craig Parry will hit the first ball of the tournament, having been handed a 06:30 BST tee-time, together with Lucas Glover and Simon Dyson. |