Jordan Spieth will be looking to defend his British Open title at Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland, in 2018, but recent history is against him.
Eight of the last nine winners of golf's oldest major have all been first-time champions, and Padraig Harrington was the last to win back-to-back Opens in 2008.
As ever, there is a strong field for the Open, led by world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, 2014 champion Rory McIlroy, the in-form Justin Rose, champion Spieth and three-time Claret Jug winner Tiger Woods.
All the action kicks off on Thursday, with 1985 champion Sandy Lyle, Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan leading the way in the opening threesome at 6:35 a.