The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Johnson learning from setbacks
experience around the Old Course than Spieth.
“Jordan is a good buddy of mine and we have fun playing together,” he said. “It’s a good group with Hideki Matsuyama. I like playing with Jordan and there’s no pressure.”
What did he think of Spieth’s Grand Slam chances, given that with one putt he could have ended them?
“Well, I’m playing in the next two,” he pointed out, “so we’ll have to see.”
Spieth, Johnson and Maruyama are in what is close to the old Thursday morning marquee slot timed for the BBC coming on air, at 9.33 am, just 20 minutes before Tiger Woods opens his bid for a third Old Course victory, partnered by Jason Day and 2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen.
Tom Watson, in his last Open after 40 years and five wins, has a decent group with twice champion Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker at 8.33 am. Bubba Watson and Ian Poulter play with Charl Schwartzel at 9 am, with Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed following them at 9.11.
Phil Mickelson, champoion in 2013, gets his preferred afternoon start on Thursday with Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar at 2.34 pm, followed by Justin Rose, Sir Nick Faldo and new Scottish Open champion Rickie Fowler at 2.45.
The grouping of Adam Scott, Martin Kaymer and Jimmy walker at 2.12 also catches the eye
The honour of starting the 144th Open on Thursday will fall to Australia’s Rod Pampling, who led after the first round in 1999 at Carnoustie, at 6.32 am.
The first Scot out is Russell Knox, making his Open debut with Brian Harman and Graham Delaet at 6.54. 1985 champion Sandy Lyle starts another Open with Americans Charley Hoffman and Kevin Na at 7.38 am.
Paul Lawrie plays with another two Americans, Ryan Palmer and Kevin Kisner, directly after the Spieth group at 9.44, with 11th hour entry Richie Ramsay at just after midday, partnering Cameron Tringale and Pablo Larrazabal.
Stephen Gallacher partners Hiroyuki Fujita and Ryan Moore at 2.01 pm.