The Open Championship 2017: Weather forecast from Royal Birkdale

Despite a drizzly start, The Open Championship will be largely dry on the opening day before wet and windy weather rolls into Royal Birkdale from Friday onwards.

Practise rounds had to be suspended on Wednesday due to electrical storms.

And the players got under way on Thursday morning, with the first groups battling rain and wind which is expected to clear as the day progresses.

Those teeing off later in the day will not have it all their own way though, with easterly winds of around 15mph ensuring that this is a true test of links golf.

Conditions will get much tougher on Friday, and those wanting to make the cut and stick around for the weekend will have to cope with rain and gusts of up to 35mph.

That will likely be the hardest day for scoring, with the wind due to die down over the weekend although the wet weather will persist.

Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson are amongst the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the Claret Jug, although Swedish defending champion Henrik Stenson will be doing all he can to retain his title.