2026 Open Championship Preview: Royal Birkdale Hosts Golf's Final Major of the Season

Golf's Final Major Arrives at Royal Birkdale

The 154th Open Championship gets underway July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, bringing the curtain down on the 2026 major season. The total purse stands at $17.75 million, with the champion claiming $3.2 million.

Key Storylines to Watch

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters as the man to beat, paired with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau in Round 1. Rory McIlroy — grouped alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick — continues his pursuit of links glory, while Jordan Spieth targets a comeback on the seaside layout where he has historically excelled.

DeChambeau faces pressure of a different kind: a fourth consecutive major missed cut would mark a significant slump for the bomber.

Japanese Contingent

Five Japanese players feature in the field. Hideki Matsuyama tees off at 4:25 a.m. ET alongside Ben Griffin and Min Woo Lee. Ryo Hisatsune, Keita Nakajima, Ren Yonezawa, and Naoyuki Kataoka also compete.

Strokeslab Angle

Royal Birkdale's firm, wind-swept links tend to reward SG: Approach (APP) and SG: Around the Green (ATG) over raw distance. Players with proven ball-flight versatility and touch around the greens — hallmarks of Scheffler's and McIlroy's statistical profiles — should hold a meaningful edge over the four days.