Where is the Open 2023 being played? Everything you need to know about the Royal Liverpool course in Hoylake

Golf’s 2023 Open Championship begins on Thursday, with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Smith hunting the year’s final major.

Smith will be hoping to retain his title after winning at St Andrew’s last year, but also he has the likes of Masters champion Jon Rahm and US PGA champion Brooks Koepka chasing him down.

Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament, from where it will be played to how to watch.

Where is the 2023 Open?

The Open is returning to Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, Merseyside for the first time in nine years.

Last time the Open was held here it was won by McIlroy in 2014 – and he is among the favourites this time – but he has not won a major since the US PGA Championship that same year.

Tiger Woods has also been an Open winner at Royal Liverpool, taking the trophy in 2006, however he is not among this year’s field as he is recovering from surgery.

This is the 12th time the Open has been held at Royal Liverpool. The previous three were won by Fred Daly in 1947, Peter Thompson in 1956 and Roberto De Vicenzo in 1967.

Many eyes will be on the 17th hole this year – a completely new par-3 played into the wind and looking out to sea. Surrounded by bunkers, it is deliberately positioned to create drama and maybe alter the course of events on Sunday afternoon.

The course was founded in 1869 on what was then the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club. It earned its “royal” title thanks to patronage from one of Queen Victoria’s sons, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught.

When does the 2023 Open start?

The Open begins on Thursday 20 July and will finish on Sunday 23 July.

The first round will begin at 6.35am, with England’s Matthew Jordan, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and Branden Grace of South Africa on the tee.

McIlroy has been grouped with Rahm and former world No 1 Justin Rose. They will tee off at 2.59pm.

World No 1 Scheffler is in a group with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and former Masters champion Adam Scott. They begin at 9.47am.

Smith has been drawn with US Open winner Wyndham Clark and Xander Schauffele, teeing off shortly after at 9.58am.

Find a full list of tee times here.

The Open 2023 odds

• Rory McIlroy – 15-2
• Scottie Scheffler – 8-1
• Jon Rahm – 14-1
• Cameron Smith – 18-1
• Brooks Koepka – 22-1
• Viktor Hovland – 22-1
• Rickie Fowler – 25-1
• Patrick Cantlay – 25-1
• Tyrrell Hatton – 28-1
• Xander Schauffele – 28-1
• Tommy Fleetwood – 29-1
• Jordan Spieth – 35-1
• Collin Morikawa – 35-1
• Shane Lowry – 35-1
• Dustin Johnson – 35-1
• Tony Finau – 55-1
• Matt Fitzpatrick – 57-1
• Wyndham Clark – 59-1
• Justin Rose – 60-1
• Sam Burns – 66-1

Odds via Oddschecker and correct as of 18 July

How can I watch the Open?

Sky Sports will have coverage of the Open, beginning at 6.30am on both Thursday and Friday, ahead of the first tee shot at 6.35am.

There will be live action from the opening two rounds until 9pm.

On day three coverage begins at 9am and will continue until the action has concluded, while programming starts at 8am on Sunday for the final round.

If you do not have access to Sky Sports there will be highlights on the BBC each night. Eilidh Barbour will host coverage at 8pm on BBC Two.