While you were sleeping

July 18, 2013 at 1:54AM
Ernie Els of South Africa holds up the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club, Lytham St Annes, England Sunday, July 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) ORG XMIT: MIN2013071718192696
Ernie Els of South Africa holds up the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club, Lytham St Annes, England Sunday, July 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) ORG XMIT: MIN2013071718192696 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The 142nd British Open began early Thursday, around 12:30 a.m. Minnesota time, with ESPN beginning its all-day coverage at 3 a.m.

tournament facts

What: Third golf major of the year.

When: Thursday-Sunday.

Where: Muirfield Golf Club in Gullane, Scotland.

TV: ESPN all four days.

In 2012: Ernie Els won at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

Last time at Muirfield: Els won in 2002, the 15th time the course hosted the event.

Key statistic: Every winner of the British Open at Muirfield after World War II is in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

notable day 1 tee times

3 a.m.: Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Fred Couples

3:11: Justin Rose, Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker

3:44: Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Phil Mickelson

8:01: Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel and Sergio Garcia

8:12: Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar and Luke Donald

8:45: Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell and Louis Oosthuizen

associated press

Inside: British Open notebook and a complete list of tee times. C5

Ernie Els of South Africa smiles on the driving range ahead of the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, Scotland, Wednesday July 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super) ORG XMIT: MIN2013071719051797
Ernie Els (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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