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Irishman Padraig Harrington will launch his bid for a rare Open hat-trick in the company of American Jim Furyk and Australian Geoff Ogilvy at Turnberry's Ailsa Course on Thursday.

Harrington, who won the Claret Jug for the first time at Carnoustie in 2007 before making a successful defence at Royal Birkdake last year, is scheduled to tee off at 14:20 BST.

The 37-year-old Irishman is seeking to become the first golfer to win a hat-trick of Open titles since Australian Peter Thomson achieved the feat with a run of three successive victories from 1954-56.

The biggest galleries of the week are likely to follow world number one Tiger Woods, who will play the first two rounds with Britain's Lee Westwood and Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa.

Woods, in pursuit of a 15th Major crown this week, is set to start his bid for a fourth Open title at 09:09 on Thursday.

Although the American always attracts a huge following wherever he plays along with hordes of photographers, the 17-year-old Ishikiwa is also a big drawcard as one of Japan's biggest sporting celebrities.

Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina has been grouped with world number three Paul Casey of England and Japan's Ryuji Imada.

The trio will tee off at 14:09 in the opening round.

Other notable threesomes include 2002 champion Ernie Els, US Open winner Lucas Glover and Germany's in-form Martin Kaymer; and young guns Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and American Anthony Kim, who will play in the company of double US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa.

Britain's Paul Broadhurst, a six-times winner on the European Tour, is scheduled to hit the first shot of the 138th Open championship at 06:30 on Thursday morning.

Turnberry, on the south-west coast of Scotland, is hosting The Open for the fourth time.

YOU CAN FOLLOW LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY AND SCORING FROM THE 138TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FROM 7AM ON THURSDAY AT EUROSPORT.YAHOO.COM

Reuters