The forecast for the championship is not promising, with rain expected on all but the first day accompanied by strong winds which could make low scoring exceptionally difficult.
Padraig Harrington won the last time Royal Birkdale hosted the tournament with a score of three over par as weather on that occasion left birdies at a premium.
And they will be again as bookies are currently predicted the winning score to fall at around three under par for the the four rounds.
Follow all the latest action and up-to-date scores from Southport right here as the action unfolds.
The Open 2017 LIVE – Latest updates and scores from Royal Birkdale
10.45am: It’s a more good news for the Englishmen in the field as Poulter moves to -2 with a brilliant approach shot while Justin Rose is also in the red, -1 through two holes.
Jordan Spieth is flying the flag for the US, playing in a glamour group alongside Si-Woo Kim and defending champion Henrik Stenson. He watches a makable putt at three narrowly slide past the hole – if he wants add his first Open triumph to the 2015 US Open and Masters triumphs, he will have to be sinking those.
10.15am: English duo Danny Willett and Ian Poulter have made the early running on the first day at Royal Birkdale.
Not since Sir Nick Faldo won his third and final Claret Jug at Muirfield in 1992 has the event had a home winner, but 2016 Masters champion Willett and his compatriot, who came through a qualifier to book his spot at Southport, is tied at one under par with Sweden’s Alex Noren.
Willett, who has struggled with a back injury recently and failed to play the second round in two of his last three events, birdied the second to make his early move with Poulter, three groups behind, holing from 30 feet at the same hole to join him.
