Third round of British Open to feature first-ever two-tee start

The weather is going to play a part in the British Open on the weekend but not in the way it usually does.

By Kyle Porter

Jul 18, 2014 at 11:39 am ET • 1 min read

How will weather affect Saturday at the British Open? (Getty Images)

On Saturday the British Open will make history with a two-tee start time for the first time ever, according to the R&A (and Bob Harig) and will be moved up to 9 a.m. local time.

According to R&A, Saturday will be first-ever two-tee start in Open history.
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) July 18, 2014

Some people are not fans of this:

Two-tee smart probably smart, but hate it. Open really is modernized now. Shame.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) July 18, 2014

There will also be groups of three going off instead of pairings like normal. The reason? The weather is supposed to be insanely bad.

Like, "wind and hail" bad.

Two-tee start at @The_Open tomorrow due to severe weather around @RLGCHoylake heavy rain, thunder, maybe even hail! Should be interesting..
— Paul Higham (@SportsPaulH) July 18, 2014

Here's a look according to Weather Channel:

I'm not a fan of any of this because bad weather is such a big part of how this tournament plays out but I get it -- nobody wants to get caught up in a hail storm.

I also think this benefits Rory McIlroy -- I don't think he has as much a chance of posting an insanely high number without awful weather.

Though it also means everybody behind him will have a decent shot at posting a lower number. Whatever happens, it should be fun.

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