​SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — The oldest championship in golf is now the last major of the year.The British Open dates to 1860 and returns this year to Royal Birkdale, and it’s already different from anything the world’s best players have seen this year. The links course along the Lancashire coast of England is yellow and brown, the sure sign of a fast and firm test.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementScottie Scheffler is trying to become the first repeat winner of the British Open since Padraig Harrington won in 2007 and 2008 — the second one also was at Royal Birkdale. He also can become only the third player in the last 20 years to go three straight years winning a major.There are favorites and there are inspirations, such as David Howard, the 27-year-old Irish amateur who didn’t even expect to be alive at this stage in his career, much less playing in the Open.Even though Royal Birkdale did not join the British Open rotation until 1954, this is the 11th time it has hosted golf’s oldest major. And its roll call of champions rivals any other links course. All but one champion at Birkdale is either in the World Golf Hall of Fame or will be.Here’s what to know going into the 154th edition of the British Open:AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe British Open starts Thursday, and it is the longest day in golf, starting at 6:35 a.m. local time with the last group teeing off at 4:21 p.m. The British Open and the Masters are the only majors that start only from the first tee.This will be the 10th year for NBC Sports to be the lead broadcast network in the United States, and it will be wall-to-wall coverage. For the weekday rounds in Eastern Daylight Time, Peacock will carry The Open from 1:30 a.m. to 4 a.m., with USA Network taking over from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. USA Network will broadcast it from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturday, followed by NBC from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The final round will be an hour earlier. USA Network will start at 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., with NBC picking it up from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 156-man field has players from nearly 30 countries and is the most global of the four majors. Only 20 players have come from 36-hole qualifying that took place two weeks ago at four links courses in the U.K. The other “qualifiers” were leading players from 15 tournaments held on every main tour in the world and every continent on which golf is played. The last to qualify was Joe Dean, who won an 18-hole “Last Chance Qualifier” held Monday at Royal Birkdale.Scottie Scheffler has been the betting favorite at every major this year, and the British Open is no exception. But the margins are smaller for the world’s No. 1 player whose last win was in January. BetMGM Sportsbook has Scheffler at +750, narrowly ahead of Masters champion Rory McIlroy at +850. The English hopes, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, are at +1400. Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele are at +2500.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLook n