An early tee-time in golf can be a tremendous advantage in any tournament, but none more so than in a Major.

Those teeing off early at Royal Birkdale on day one will play the course at its very best condition with smooth clean cut and un-trampled putting surfaces.

The first players tee off at 6.30 in the morning, the last ones go off at 4.21 in the afternoon, that’s a staggering 10 hour swing.

Just imagine all the hoof prints and heavy traffic that will have treaded around those holes by the time the afternoon starters tee off.

For punters trying to eke out the “First Round Leader” it makes perfect sense to bear that in mind.

A man who really stands out in the betting at a whopping 200/1 is maverick American Mark Calcavecchia who has a solid Open record having won at Royal Troon back in 1989.

Now in his late 40s, Calc, isn’t the player he was back then but the old gunslinger is still very capable of shooting the lights out.

The Nebraska born player tees off at 7.25am and if he gets off to a fast start could well shoot a mid 60s score which will almost certainly be enough to either win or claim those each-way places 1-5 that totesport are paying.

Another player worth noting is Colin Montgomerie at 66/1.

A tight driving Birkdale is a course that plays to Monty’s strengths. He’s still laser straight off the tee and his early tee-time could well see him top of the leaderboard come Thursday night.

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