Open Championship favourite Rory McIlroy will play the opening two rounds of the 140th Open in the company of Ernie Els and Rickie Fowler.

Officials released the draw just after noon here at Royal St. George’s with McIlroy, Els and Fowler teeing-up at 9.09am local time Thursday.

McIlroy is the reigning U.S. Open champion while Els is a three-time Major winner including victories in the 1994 & 1997 U.S. Open and 2000 Open.

Out in front of McIlroy, Els and Fowler will be 2003 Open Champion Ben Curtis, Australia’s Aaaron Baddeley and England’s Paul Casey who tee up at 8.58am.

And in the group behind that of McIlroy’s will be World No. 1 Luke Donald, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa.

The afternoon half of the draw sees former U.S.  Open champion Graeme McDowell teeing up at 1.43pm in the company of Australia’s Jason Day and American Bubba Watson.

World No. 2 Lee Westwood will tee-up at 2.10pm competing alongside Steve Stricker and currrent Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

American Jerry Kelly has the distinction of teeing up first on Thursday at 6.30am in teh company of Australia’s Nathan Green and England’s Danny Willet.

And last out at 4.11pm will be Singapore’s Lam Chih-Bing.