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The Claret Jug isn't the only thing the players will be playing for this week - with Ryder Cup places also very much at forefront of many minds.

Tiger Woods is one of those who will have to rely on a wild card pick for September's event at Gleneagles but, along with many others, knows the importance of impressing his captain sooner rather than later.

The likes of Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood are currently sitting out of the automatic qualifying positions for the European team.

Plenty of food for thought for captains Paul McGinley and America's Tom Watson.

John McEnerney:, external Big Henrik, he hits the irons so well which will be key! He started his great run last year on the links! He'll be there on Sunday!

Who do you think will win the Open and why? Tweet #bbcgolf,, external post on BBC Sport Facebook,, external google + or text 81111 (UK users only).

A few players are already having problems early on, with Japan's Masanori Kobayashi the second player in the first hour of action to suffer a double bogey. His woes on the second follow Bernd Wiesberger's similar fate on the first. American David Duval has also dropped a shot as Chris Wood remains the only player on the course to be under par.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

"The first group of Howell, Duval and Karlsson stride past the clubhouse and down the third a couple of minutes before 7am. Not going a bad clip, and that includes pauses on the second fairway and third tee while the gallery clap players on and off the first. Talking of which, I was half-expecting bigger cheers for double heart transplant man Erik Compton. Anyway, interesting styles in the first group. Karlsson methodical, always grooving his swing, practising body positions, while Howell and Duval more natural, a quick practice swoosh and then bosh."

Anyway it's about time you had your say. They say picking the winner in the Open is more difficult than the Grand National, why not give it a go?

Don't just give me a name though, give us a reason for your choice.

So who do you think will win the Open and why? Tweet #bbcgolf,, external text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook., external

I hope India's Anirban Lahiri does well this week - for his sake.

The current Asian Tour number one has cut short his honeymoon in Madagascar after only realising late he had qualified for the Open.

"My wife has taken it well although her honeymoon is truncated," he said. Liverpool or Madagascar? I feel he has some making up to do.

Lahiri tees off in the next few minutes with Japan's Koumei Oda and the United States's Ben Martin.

1st (Royal)

Par four, 458 yards

Image source, Getty Images

A tough opening test, with both tee shot and the approach heavily protected by bunkers. When the wind blows you tend to be hitting right into it and even a solid drive leaves a long second shot. Miss the fairway and you're probably in punishing rough.

2006 difficulty ranking: 7

The first birdie of the day goes to England's Chris Wood who sinks a putt on the first to take the very early lead.

Not a pretty sight for playing partner Austrian Bernd Wiesberger though, who starts the day with a double bogey.

Image source, PA

So what do we know about Royal Liverpool - or Hoylake as it is usually known? The last time the course hosted the Open was Tiger Woods's third Open triumph back in 2006.

The course measures 7,312 yards and plays to a par of 72, 54 yards longer than in 2006. A number of bunkers have been removed, leaving 82 in total across the course, and beware any adverse weather conditions - there is little protection out there.

Harold Hilton, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Peter Thomson and Roberto De Vicenzo have also lifted the Claret jug on the Wirral links. Who will join them on Sunday evening?

Ken Brown
BBC Sport commentator

"Good morning for scoring.... No wind."

For those who can't wait for the live coverage to start on BBC Two and BBC Radio 5 live, you can get your early fix of action by clicking on the highlights tab at the top of this page. This includes an interview with Rory McIlroy, some classic Open moments and a bird's-eye view of Royal Liverpool. What better way to get yourself in the mood for four days of glorious golf?

The BBC brings you comprehensive coverage of the Open Championship from Royal Liverpool across TV, radio, online and mobile devices.

With exclusive coverage from four days of play, the BBC will deliver over 40 hours of live TV coverage on BBC One and BBC Two in HD, 48 hours of radio on BBC Radio 5 live, exclusive behind-the-scenes social media from BBC Sport and up to four BBC Red Button streams.

The BBC Sport website will offer up to five live streams as well as live text commentary, on-demand video, the latest leaderboard and features, including an exclusive column from Graeme McDowell.

Coverage on BBC Two and BBC Radio 5 live starts at 09:00 BST today. You will be able to view and listen by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

Image source, PA

"Glorious morning over Hoylake. Clear, still, just a few wispy streaks to keep the sky interesting. A gentle buzz of anticipation warms the Wirral air. Final practice putts done, England's David Howell ambles into the 1st tee munching a banana and receives applause, not just for his eating prowess you suppose.

"Starter Ivor Robson welcomes us to the 143rd Open and introduces Howell. The son of Swindon savours the fresh applause with that beamy smile and hits his hybrid into the right rough. Former champion David Duval opts for driver and catches the left hay. Lanky Swede Robert Karlsson takes an iron and finds the fairway. The Open is go."

American David Duval shows his putter is working as he sinks a putt from 17 feet to secure a par. A disappointing start from David Howell as he leaves a putt short to drop a shot on the first.

Conditions could hardly be more different than they were on the Open's visit to Hoylake eight years ago, when a baking hot summer made the links scorched and barren.

On a course much quicker than it will be over the next four days, Tiger Woods produced a masterful display as he stormed to victory without hardly using his driver.

It would be some display if Tiger could repeat some of those heroics in his first major of the year after injury. You couldn't rule it out though.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool beware. There is a Tiger on the prowl.

Yes, the former world number one, Tiger woods, returns to action after missing the first two majors of the year with a back injury.

He has already triumphed at Hoylake once before, winning in 2006 the last time the Open was held on this course, and has lifted the Claret Jug three times in total.

He needs four more majors to equal Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 and the crowds are certain to flock around his latest efforts. He tees off at 09:04 BST.

See why Woods's return highlights major issues in the sport here.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

Image source, PA

"Anyone still need waking up, one look at David Howell's fluoro shirt should do it. Starter Ivor Robson fully alert & set for duties."

Swindon's David Howell is in the first group at the Open for the third time in his career, with one difference - he got to hit the opening shot.

"Thrilled," Howell said of his 06:25 BST tee time with former champion David Duval and Robert Karlsson. Howell was third to hit at Royal Troon in 1997 - his first Open - and second to hit at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2001.

It meant an early start for the man from Wiltshire, with his alarm set for 04:00 BST. "One of us at the end of the round is going to be leading," he said.

Howell will be happy with his opener, a safe drive down the fairway.

Good morning and welcome to live text commentary of the 143rd Open from Royal Liverpool.

Forget Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona and how Steven Gerrard & co are going to cope without him in their Premier League push, for the next four days Liverpool's sporting focus will very much be on golf.

Phil Mickelson is the current holder of the Claret Jug, after winning in Muirfield, but will face a severe test to retain the title from a very open field.

We are already under way.

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Every blade of grass has been manicured. Every grain of sand has been raked. And every green has been cared for.

Some 156 players will do battle over four days and 7,312 yards.

The prize. £975,000 for the winner plus the Claret Jug.