Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin will get The 154th Open under way on home soil after being given the honour of the historic opening tee shot.

Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin will get The 154th Open under way on home soil after being given the honour of the historic opening tee shot.

He follows in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Matthew Jordan and Justin Leonard who have all signalled the start of the Championship in recent years.

With friends and family watching on, Baldwin will be joined by Thomas Detry and James Nicholas in game one, teeing off at 6.35am.

It will be a special moment for the 40-year-old, who claimed his place at The Open viaFinal Qualifying at Dundonald Links.

"It's a bit of a dream really,"Baldwin saidafter qualifying. "I get emotional just thinking about it. It will be incredible. I've played Opens at Hoylake and Lytham before, but to do it at my home club in front of my wife, my mum and my family will be amazing.

"For me it's a dream come true."

This year will mark Baldwin’s fourth Open appearance. On his debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012 he produced his best Open result of T23, before going on to compete at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and Royal Portrush in 2019.

Full tee times for Thursday and Friday are now live.You can view them here.

credit r'&a