Donald, Mickelson in British Open group

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England, July 16 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Luke Donald, looking for a first major tournament title, was grouped with Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy for the first rounds of the British Open.

Donald didn't make the cut at last year's British Open but is among those looking to be the first English player since Nick Faldo in 1992 to win the British Open. The tournament begins Thursday at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club in England.

The first group will be the twosome of Barry Lane and James Driscoll, who are to tee off at 1:19 a.m. EDT Thursday. The groups are set for the first two rounds after which they will be re-paired by score.

Donald, Mickelson and Ogilvy are to start at 9:43 a.m. Donald's best showing in major tournaments are ties for third at the Masters (2005) and PGA Championship (2006). He tied for fifth at the 2009 British Open. Mickelson was the British Open runner-up last year but hasn't won the event.

Defending champion Darren Clarke was grouped with Ernie Els and Zach Johnson. Els won the British Open in 2002.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy will play with Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 champion, and Keegan Bradley. Tiger Woods, who has three wins this year, is in a group with Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia. Woods is a three-time (2000, 2005, 2006) British Open winner. His group begins at 4:42 a.m. EDT Thursday.

Sentimental favorite Tom Watson was given a tee time of 4:53 a.m., immediately after Clarke's group. Playing with Watson will be Ryo Ishikawa and Martin Kaymer.