Scott continues pursuit of Open trophy July 18, 2019 by AAP / Darren Walton

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND, AAP - After escaping the birthday spotlight, Adam Scott has returned to work in pursuit of the elusive Claret Jug.

Scott will be the first Australian to hit off when the 148th British Open gets underway on Thursday.

He also hopes to be the last of Australia's six-strong contingent to tee off on Sunday, as high up the leaderboard as possible as the former runner-up chases what has increasingly become his golfing holy grail.

After leading on the back nine in the final rounds in 2012, 2013 and 2015, only to let the famous trophy slip from his fingers on all three occasions, Scott craves to be in contention once more having tasted being in the mix again at the pointy end of the past five majors.

"I had a run for four years when I felt I was going to win the thing. I'd like to get those feelings going again," Scott told AAP ahead of his 20th consecutive Open tilt.

"There is a huge level of comfort; since 2010 I've played links golf really well and I feel my formula has worked."

As usual, the former world No.1 arrived early for his latest Open tilt, eager to learn as much as he can about the mystique of Royal Portrush, a venue not used since 1951.

Sponging from the local knowledge of Northern Irishman Darren Clarke for three pre-Open practice rounds, Scott returned to the course early on Wednesday for nine more holes with the 2011 champion.

"He's gone out of his way to spend way too much time with me," Scott told AP.

"I love watching how he plays the links he grew up on, to see what he thinks and how he navigates.

"He's been incredibly helpful. It's nice to have a good level of comfort to go play the tournament."

After spending a quiet 39th birthday with his father on Tuesday, Scott gets one last chance to win the Open before entering his 40s when he tees up for the first round alongside defending champion Francesco Molinari and American Bryson DeChambeau (6.59pm AEST).

Scott is the only Australian off in the morning wave on Thursday, with Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Jake McLeod and Dimi Papadatos all playing in the afternoon.

AUSTRALIAN TEE TIMES FOR FIRST ROUND OF THE BRITISH OPEN ON THURSDAY (all times AEST)

6.58pm: ADAM SCOTT, Francesco Molinari (ITA), Bryson DeChambeau (USA)

8.58pm: DIMI PAPADATOS, Joel Dahmen (USA), Adri Arnaus (ESP)

9.20pm: JAKE MCLEOD, Erik Van Rooyen (RSA), Kurt Kitayama (USA)

10.26pm: MARC LEISHMAN, Jordan Spieth (USA), Danny Willett (ENG)

10.37pm: CAMERON SMITH, Adam Hadwin (CAN), David Lipsky (USA)

11.59pm: JASON DAY, Dustin Johnson (USA), Keegan Bradley (USA)

OTHER NOTABLE GROUPINGS