SOUTHPORT, England — Topeka native Gary Woodland will play alongside 2011 British Open champion and recent Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke during the first two rounds of this week’s Open at Royal Birkdale.
Also grouped with Woodland and Clarke will be England’s Harry Ellis. The trio will tee off at 3:25 a.m. (Topeka time) Thursday and 8:26 a.m. Friday.
Clarke won the 2011 Open at Royal St. George’s by three shots, the highlight of a professional career that began in 1990. The Northern Ireland native played in five Ryder Cups before being named captain for Europe’s 2016 team.