Golf - Defending champion Stenson and Spieth paired for British Open

FILE PHOTO: Golf - European Tour - Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open - Ayrshire, Britain - July 15, 2017 Sweden's Henrik Stenson during the third round Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

(Reuters) - Defending champion Henrik Stenson will partner former world number one Jordan Spieth in the first two rounds of this week's British Open at Royal Birkdale.

Stenson and Spieth are scheduled to tee off with South Korean Kim Si-woo, who became the youngest winner at the Players Championship earlier this year, at 0947 local time (0847 GMT) on Thursday.

Stenson, who edged Phil Mickelson to win the title at Royal Troon last year, is bidding to become the first man since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to defend his title.

FILE PHOTO: Jun 25, 2017; Cromwell, CT, USA; Jordan Spieth makes a birdie putt on the 1st hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

World number one Dustin Johnson will partner Rory McIlroy and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, with the group getting underway at 1448 local time.

Masters champion Sergio Garcia will be joined by Australian Jason Day and 2015 champion Zach Johnson.

The first tee shot will be hit at 0635 local time by American Mark O'Meara, who was the winner in 1998 at Royal Birkdale.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)