World Cup dilemma for English golfers at The Open

English golfers face a World Cup dilemma after eight players were handed tee times before 08:00 BST for Thursday's opening round of The Open.

England's semi-final against Argentina kicks off in Atlanta at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, with the first group on the course at Royal Birkdale at 06:35 the following morning.

Players typically arrive at the course up to two hours before they tee off and Royal Birkdale's Matthew Baldwin will hit the tournament's opening shot, with an English player featuring in each of the first eight groups.

World number 10 Justin Rose will begin his tournament at 09:36.

"I was hoping for a later tee time," said the 2016 Olympic champion who said he will be watching the match.

"I'd take a win on penalties if it happened, but we're looking for a short, sharp match and a reasonable bedtime.

"I'm going to watch it with an eye on what's important for me and not get too high and low and keep my own emotions in check. We've got big things as well to do this week.

"It's a match where if you think that you're not going to watch it, you're probably kidding yourself."

Sheffield United supporter Matt Fitzpatrick got his wish of a later start on Thursday, followed by an early start on Friday.

Before the tee-times had been announced on Monday he said: "If anyone's listening, I really hope it's a late/early. It would be nice if all the English lads were late/early. That would be great."

Fitzpatrick will tee off at 15:15. However, his brother Alex did not and is out at 07:19 in round one.

The tee-times for Sunday's final round could be brought forward to avoid a clash with football's World Cup final, should England make it.

If England win Wednesday's semi-final, they will play either France or Spain in New Jersey at 20:00 BST, with the golf scheduled to finish around 18:30.

However, should a play-off be needed to decide the winner at Royal Birkdale in Southport, the two events could overlap.

BBC Sport understands that Open organisers the R&A are remaining flexible on any scheduling and that no decision has been made.

Stakeholders and broadcasters are likely to be consulted before any final decision.

A clash has always been on the radar of the R&A, although England's run to the World Cup semi-final has brought it into sharper focus.

In April, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said: "We're obviously conscious of other events happening on that date.

"As we approach the championship, we'll ensure we try and avoid that clash wherever possible.

"Of course some things are out of our control in terms of play-offs and the like, but we will attempt to avoid a clash, yes."

The Open uses a three-hole play-off with the aggregate score determining the winner. Should there still be a tie, a sudden-death play-off will follow.

This would mean deciding the winner of the Claret Jug, and the presentation ceremony that follows, could come close to clashing with the football.

Even if play were to finish as scheduled, it would leave little time for those also wanting to watch the football to get away from the Merseyside course.

The last time an Open Championship was decided by a play-off was in 2015, with Zach Johnson beating Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman at St Andrews.

The R&A will hold its customary pre-tournament news conference on Wednesday.

Iain Carter, BBC golf correspondent

Tee times can be a moveable feast and are often influenced by weather concerns, but intended schedules are dictated by the demands of television broadcasters and available daylight.

This is why the leading groups at last weekend's Scottish Open, which is screened by CBS in the United States, had to wait until late afternoon before teeing off even before unforeseen Saturday fog further delayed proceedings.

The Open, which is screened by NBC, follows similar scheduling to maximise audiences in the US, where time zones are at least five hours behind the UK.

On Open Sundays, the final putt usually drops around 18:30. The concern this week would be if a three hole play-off, which could go longer into sudden death, is necessary.

That could mean the presentation ceremony coming very close to clashing with the World Cup final kicking off.