LONDON, June 8: Every one of the leading 50 players in the world rankings is set to line up at Carnoustie next month in an attempt to stop number one Tiger Woods capturing the British Open title for a third successive year.

More than 90 of the top 100 will be in the starting field of 156 on July 19, organisers said on Friday.

A total entry of more than 2,400 includes 102 exempt players and more than 1,600 will take part in regional qualifying at Royal Dublin on July 3 and at various courses on July 4.

Local final qualifying takes place on July 9-10 at Downfield, Monifieth, Montrose and Panmure, with 96 players at each course. Only the top three at each venue will gain places at Carnoustie.—Reuters