The Open Championship: Current Time and Schedule

← Major Golf Events & Tournaments | The Four Majors

BLOCKQUOTE_0

Quick Answer

• The Open Championship follows the local time of the host course, typically British Summer Time (BST) for UK venues.
• Your best bet for accurate, up-to-the-minute tee times and broadcast schedules is the official Open Championship website.
• Knowing the local time is crucial for planning your viewing, especially when factoring in your own time zone.

Who This Is For

• Golf fanatics who want to follow the drama of The Open Championship live, from the first tee shot to the final putt.
• Fans who need to sync their schedules with specific player tee times or featured groups to catch all the action.
• Anyone looking to understand when to tune in, whether they’re across the pond or on the other side of the globe.

What Time Is It at The Open Championship: Key Information

• Current Local Time at the Host Course: This is the most important piece of the puzzle. The Open is always played in the local time zone of wherever it’s being held. For courses in the United Kingdom, this means British Summer Time (BST) is usually in play. Don’t just assume; always check the official Open Championship website for the specific course and year. It’s usually a few hours ahead of Eastern Time in the US.
• Daily Round Start and End Times: The tournament isn’t just a single tee time. You need to know when the first players are scheduled to go out and when the last groups are expected to finish each day. This gives you the window of play. Verify these times on the official schedule, as they can shift slightly based on daylight and logistics.
• Featured Group Tee Times: This is where the real planning comes in. The Open will highlight certain groups, often featuring the biggest names or those at the top of the leaderboard. Knowing precisely when these groups tee off is essential for catching the most compelling golf. You’ll find these listed on the tournament’s daily draw sheets.
• Broadcast and Streaming Schedules: Even if you know the tee times, you need to know when you can actually watch it. Check your local sports broadcasters or streaming services for their specific coverage times. These often differ from the actual on-course play start times, usually with pre-game shows.

Step-by-Step Plan for Tracking Open Championship Times

1. Action: Head straight to the official Open Championship website.

What to look for: Navigate to sections like “Tee Times,” “Schedule,” “Draw,” or “Live Scoring.” This is your definitive source for all timing information. I always bookmark this page the week before.
Mistake to avoid: Don’t rely on outdated fan forums or unofficial apps. They can have inaccurate or stale information, and you’ll miss out.

2. Action: Find the daily pairings and tee times.

What to look for: Look for the specific times each group is scheduled to start their round. These are usually listed chronologically for each day of the tournament.
Mistake to avoid: Assuming all players start at the same time. The field is huge, and tee times are staggered, especially in the early rounds.

3. Action: Note the local time for each tee time.

What to look for: The listed time will be the local time of the host course. For The Open, this is most often BST. It’s usually printed right there with the tee time.
Mistake to avoid: Thinking that the listed time is your local time. This is the biggest pitfall. You must convert it.

4. Action: Use a reliable time zone converter.

What to look for: Input the local Open Championship time and your own time zone to get the accurate viewing time for your location. There are plenty of free apps and websites for this.
Mistake to avoid: Guessing the time difference. A quick search is better than missing the opening drive of your favorite player.

5. Action: Check your specific broadcast or streaming platform’s schedule.

What to look for: Find out when your chosen channel or service begins its live coverage. This might be an hour or more before the first tee shots.
Mistake to avoid: Tuning in exactly at the first tee time and finding yourself watching commercials. The broadcast often has a lead-in.

6. Action: Monitor official tournament channels for real-time updates.

What to look for: Keep an eye on the official website, app, and social media for any schedule changes. This is especially important if weather is a factor.
Mistake to avoid: Not checking for delays. A sudden squall can easily push tee times back by hours. I’ve seen it happen.

What Time Is It at The Open Championship: Navigating Schedules

Understanding the timing of The Open Championship is critical for any serious golf fan. The tournament is a global event, and with players and viewers spread across the world, precise scheduling is key. The primary challenge often lies in the time difference between your location and the host course in the UK.

The Open Championship is one of the four major championships in men’s professional golf, and it holds a special place in the sport’s history. It’s the oldest of the majors, dating back to 1860. This rich heritage means that following the event isn’t just about watching golf; it’s about being part of a tradition. However, that tradition often means dealing with time zones that can make following the action live a bit tricky.

When you’re looking at the schedule for The Open, the times you see are local to where the championship is being played. For decades, this has predominantly been in the United Kingdom, meaning British Summer Time (BST) is the standard. BST is typically five hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the United States. So, if the first tee time is 6:30 AM BST, that’s 1:30 AM EDT. This is why many US viewers opt to record the early rounds or catch highlights.

The tournament usually spans four days, typically from a Thursday to a Sunday. The first two days (Thursday and Friday) feature the entire field of 156 players. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the top 65 players and ties, who then play the final two rounds (Saturday and Sunday). The tee times for the first two rounds are usually spread out from early morning to late afternoon local time. For Saturday and Sunday, the tee times are often adjusted. Players are generally grouped by their score, with those at the top of the leaderboard teeing off later in the day. This builds anticipation for the climax of the championship.

The official Open Championship website is your best friend for accurate timing. They will have the most up-to-date information on tee times, pairings, and any schedule adjustments. Major golf news outlets like ESPN, Sky Sports, or the BBC will also provide comprehensive schedules closer to the event, often with dedicated sections for time zone conversions.

Remember, weather can be a significant factor in The Open. Links courses are notoriously exposed to the elements, and wind, rain, or fog can cause delays. Always have a backup plan or be ready to check for updates throughout the day. Missing a crucial birdie putt because you were watching the wrong time slot is a tough way to experience a major.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Relying on outdated information.

Why it matters: Schedules are finalized closer to the event and can change. Using last year’s times or information from an unverified source means you could miss key moments or entire tee times.
Fix: Always, always check the official Open Championship website or its official app for the most current and accurate tee times and broadcast information.

• Mistake: Not accounting for time zone differences.

Why it matters: This is the most common error for international viewers. If you see a 9:00 AM tee time and assume it’s 9:00 AM where you are, you’ll be watching the wrong thing or nothing at all. I once woke up way too early for a final round because I forgot to adjust for BST.
Fix: Use a reliable time zone converter tool or app. Know the difference between your local time and British Summer Time (BST) and apply it consistently.

• Mistake: Forgetting about potential weather delays.

Why it matters: The Open, especially when played on coastal links courses, is highly susceptible to weather. Wind and rain can cause significant delays, altering the schedule dramatically.
Fix: Monitor the official Open Championship channels (website, app, social media) and major sports news outlets for real-time updates on any weather-related schedule changes.

• Mistake: Assuming broadcast times align perfectly with tee times.

Why it matters: TV networks and streaming services often start their coverage with pre-game analysis or highlights before the first group even tees off. Conversely, they might cut away before the very last putt drops.
Fix: Check the specific start and end times for the live broadcast on your chosen platform. Know when the “action” is supposed to begin and end for your viewing.

• Mistake: Not checking the draw for featured groups.

Why it matters: While you can see the entire list of tee times, you might miss the specific times for the players you’re most interested in if you don’t look at the featured groups or search for individual players.
Fix: Use the search function on the official website or look for the “Featured Groups” section to easily find the tee times for your favorite golfers.

• Mistake: Confusing different rounds’ tee time structures.

Why it matters: The first two rounds have different tee time structures than the final two. Saturday and Sunday tee times are often condensed and grouped by score, with leaders going out later.
Fix: Pay attention to the day you are checking. The official schedule will clearly differentiate between Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and Round 4 tee times and groupings.

FAQ

• What is the local time at The Open Championship?

The Open Championship follows the local time of the host course. For venues in the United Kingdom, this is typically British Summer Time (BST), which is UTC+1. Always verify the specific host location and its time zone for the current year.

• How can I find the official tee times for The Open Championship?

The most reliable source for official tee times is the official Open Championship website. You can also find this information on the R&A’s website and through major golf news outlets as the tournament approaches.

• What time zone does The Open Championship use for its schedule?

The tournament uses the local time zone of the host course. For most UK-based events, this means British Summer Time (BST). It’s crucial to convert this to your local time zone for accurate viewing.

• Can I see the tee times for specific players or groups?

Yes, the official Open Championship website provides detailed daily draw sheets that include tee times for all players. You can often search for individual players or view pre-selected “Featured Groups.”

• What happens if there are weather delays at The Open?

Weather delays are common, especially due to wind and rain on links courses. The official Open Championship website, its mobile app, and its social media channels will provide the most up-to-date information on any schedule changes or delays.

• Are the tee times the same for all four rounds of The Open?

No, tee times vary. The first two rounds (Thursday and Friday) typically have tee times spread throughout the day to accommodate the full field. The final two rounds (Saturday and Sunday) usually have condensed tee times, with players grouped by score, and the leaders going out later in the afternoon.

• How do I convert The Open Championship tee times to my local time?

The easiest way is to use an online time zone converter. Simply input the local time of The Open (e.g., 9:00 AM BST) and your current time zone, and it will tell you the equivalent time in your location.