English golf stars dream to share mega spotlight with tantalizing World Cup possibility

SOUTHPORT, England — As important as the British Open is to the 21 English players in the field this week at Royal Birkdale, there will be a bit of distraction from the golf Wednesday night for many of them.England plays Argentina in the World Cup semifinal, and the match will be televised at 8 p.m.local time Wednesday, leaving many of the English players hoping for late tee times for Thursday’s opening round.Tommy Fleetwood, who grew up minutes from Royal Birkdale, where the Open is being played, was asked about the dream possibility of winning the Open Sunday, the same day England would play the World Cup final if it defeats Argentina Wednesday.“That would be a great day,” Fleetwood said.

“I’d rather tee off late on Sunday [meaning he’s near the lead] for sure.I’ll start with that.“Yeah, the lads have been doing great,” he said of the English side.

“It’s been great to watch.The World Cup’s not easy.

For those guys, they definitely carry a nation on their shoulders a lot more than we do.They’ve been doing a great job, and it’s great to have them in the semifinals again.

We’re a great team, so it’s great to watch and great to have that positive hope.“I know a few of the lads.I think they know that we’re supporting.

It’s great to support individuals as well as the team.It’s a nice feeling and nice to watch their success along the way.”Several of the English players, including Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, had been hoping for later tee times so they could stay up and watch the England match.“I was kind of hoping for a later tee time,” Rose said.“If anyone’s listening, it would be nice if all the English lads were late-early,” Fitzpatrick said of first- and second-round tee times Thursday and Friday.Two of the players didn’t get their wish.

Rose is teeing off at 9:36 a.m.Thursday and Fleetwood at 10:09 a.m.

Fitzpatrick, however, drew a 3:15 p.m.tee time Thursday.“Actually, 9:36 isn’t too bad unless...