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The final men’s major of the year is already upon us.

This year’s condensed major season comes to a close with golf’s oldest championship at Royal Liverpool.

The Open returns to Hoylake for the first time since Rory McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug nine years ago.

It is the 13th time in total the iconic Wirral links will host the tournament, with McIlroy among the favourites once more to end his long major drought.

• The Open: Early weather forecast

• Big names missing from The Open

There is an immense field teeing it up with the hope of becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year, with Masters winner Jon Rahm and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler joining McIlroy as the big favourites.

LIV golfer Cameron Smith is defending his title after memorably edging out McIlroy with an epic final round at St Andrews in the 150th edition of this great championship last summer.

There are plenty of other subplots with a resurgent Rickie Fowler now back in the winner’s circle and home hope Tommy Fleetwood chasing his maiden major crown.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool…

The Open details

Course: Royal Liverpool, Hoylake

Course stats: 7,383 yards, par 71

Defending champion: Cameron Smith

Purse: $16,500,000

Winner’s share: $3,000,000

The Open betting tips

Rory McIlroy 15/2

Scottie Scheffler 9/1

Jon Rahm 9/1

Cameron Smith 14/1

Brooks Koepka 14/1

Jordan Spieth 18/1

Viktor Hovland 20/1

Xander Schauffele 20/1

Rickie Fowler 20/1

Tommy Fleetwood 25/1

Collin Morikawa 25/1

Patrick Cantlay 25/1

Dustin Johnson 25/1

The bunkered Bet

Padraig Harrington 100/1 (EW)

Harrington is enjoying so much of a renaissance that he is even putting himself in the frame to be considered for a Ryder Cup wildcard. There may be little value in a wide open field to go for a favourite like McIlroy and Rahm, but the two-time winner stands out for an each-way bet as you look down the opposite end of the book. He says he is playing his best golf in a ” long time” and has made cuts in his last two major championships. The 51-year-old is certainly well placed to roll back the years on Merseyside, 15 years after lifting his last Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale.

All odds correct at the time of publishing and subject to change. Please always gamble responsibly.

The Open how to watch

(All on Sky Sports Golf unless otherwise stated)

Thursday

6:30am: The Open – day one LIVE

Friday

6:30am: The Open – day two LIVE

Saturday

12pm: The Open day three LIVE

Sunday

11am: The Open day four LIVE

Highlights

The BBC’s highlights show will be presented on BBC Two by Eilidh Barbour. The highlights from the first and second rounds are scheduled to be shown at 8pm.

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