The best golfers in the world will descend on a small Scottish town this week for the sport's oldest tournament. It is, of course, the Open Championship, back again for the 147th year. But where is it being played? When does it start? And who are the favourites to lift the iconic Claret Jug? ESPN has the answers.
Where is it being played?
The 2018 Open Championship will be played at Carnoustie Golf Links on the east coast of Scotland. At over 7,400 yards, Carnoustie is the longest Open course ever, meaning players will have to deal with serious distance as well as challenging coastal winds.
This will be the eighth Open to held at Carnoustie. The last was 11 years ago in 2007 when Padraig Harrington beat Sergio Garcia in a dramatic playoff to win the Claret Jug. Tom Watson won the first of his five Open Championships at Carnoustie in 1975.
Who are the favourites?
Jordan Spieth is the defending champion and is looking to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to win back-to-back Opens. After his incredible final-round recovery at Royal Birkdale last year, the American became only the second player, joining Jack Nicklaus, to win three different majors before turning 24, but has not won a tournament since. Spieth is 20/1 amongst leading bookmakers.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson is the leading pick at 14/1 followed by home favourites Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose (both 16/1). Rickie Fowler (also 16/1), who is yet to win a major title despite recording nine top-10 major finishes, and current U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka (22/1) are the other popular American picks.
For an outside tip, keep an eye on Brandon Stone (275/1), who is in good form after winning the Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club last week. Russell Knox (66/1), the leading Scottish contender, is also one to watch after winning the Irish Open the week before.
When does it start?
The Open starts on Thursday July 19 with the fourth and final round taking place on Sunday July 22.
The first ball of the week will be hit when the opening group of players tee off at the gruelling time of 6:35 a.m. local time on Thursday. 156 players will tee off over the course of the first day with the final group heading out at 4:06 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the overnight leader will tee off in the final group at 3 p.m. Barring another dramatic Carnoustie playoff, the Claret Jug will be awarded to the winner that evening at around 7:30 p.m.
How much is the prize money?
The prize fund for this year's Open has increased by $250,000 to a total of $10.5 million. This year's champion will win $1.89 million, up from the $1.85 million Spieth scooped up at Birkdale in 2017. Prize money will be awarded in U.S. Dollars for only the second time in the Open's 147-year history.
How can I follow?
ESPN will be at Carnoustie providing news, features, daily recaps and live coverage.
TV viewers in the UK can watch all the action on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf as well as daily highlights on the BBC.
In the U.S., viewers can watch all four days on the Golf Channel, and the weekend rounds on NBC.