ST. ANDREWS: Scotsman Paul Lawrie smacked the opening shot off the first tee on a gloomy but wind-less Thursday morning at St. Andrews to launch the 150th anniversary edition of the British Open.

Lawrie, who won the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie, was the first of 156 golfers to begin a bid for the Claret Jug at the birthplace of golf, the fabled Old Course at St. Andrews.

The winner over some of the most hallowed ground in the sport will take home 850,000 pounds (one million Euros) and have his name engraved on the Auld Claret Jug trophy alongside some of golf`s greatest icons.

World number one Tiger Woods, seeking his 15th major title in pursuit of the record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus, is set to start just after 9:00 a.m. in the 15th group of the morning alongside England`s Justin Rose and Colombian Camilo Villegas.

Woods seeks a fourth British Open title after having won at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005. He shared fourth at the Masters and US Open but is winless since a five-month hiatus caused by a sex scandal that shattered his good-guy image.

In a bit to end the putting woes that have nagged his comeback, Woods has switched putters from a model he has used since 1999 to a new brand he hopes will better suit him upon the slower greens of the Old Course.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, bidding for his third British Open title in four years, will start in the group behind Woods along with Japanese prodigy Ryo Ishikawa and 60-year-old Tom Watson, last year`s British Open runner-up.

Defending champion Stewart Cink starts two groups ahead of Woods alongside Englishman Ian Poulter and South African star Ernie Els.

World number two Phil Mickelson, who won his third Masters and fourth major title in April, goes off in the afternoon alongside Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, Europe`s captain for this year`s Ryder Cup, and South African Retief Goosen.

US left-hander Mickelson can overtake Woods and become world number one by capturing his first British Open title.

Also among the notable afternoon starters are US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, playing alongside Australian Geoff Ogilvy and American Jim Furyk, and English world number three Lee Westwood.

The Old Course`s famous 17th hole, better known as the Road Hole, is set to see its first action with a tee area that has been moved back 40 yards, although Open officials have the option to move the tee up if winds mandate it.

BDST: 1327 hrs, July 14, 2010