Jordan Spieth

England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.

It will be the 11th time the Southport course has staged the event.

Spieth, then 21, became just the sixth man to win the Masters and US Open in the same year.

The former world number one was six over par through three rounds at the US PGA Championship.

Spieth, who needs to win the US PGA to complete the grand slam, is suffering from an untimely wrist injury.

The American will be seeking to complete a career Grand Slam at Oak Hill later this month.

McIlroy’s best finish at Augusta came 12 months ago when he surged through the field with a closing 64 to finish runner-up.

The PGA Tour’s top players have committed to playing against each other at least 20 times a year.

The American opened with a six under 64.

Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka have all signed up with the Saudi-backed circuit.