The 154th Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale from 16–19 July 2026, bringing golf’s oldest major back to one of its most revered links venues. Hosting the Open for the 11th time, Birkdale’s towering dunes, tight fairways and ever-present coastal winds promise a stern but fair examination – one that demands precision, patience and imagination in equal measure.
This year’s championship arrives with a compelling cast. Scottie Scheffler, the defending Open champion, heads the favourites list and remains the man to beat thanks to his relentless consistency and elite ball-striking, which are traits tailor-made for links golf. Close behind is Rory McIlroy, already a major winner in 2026 after claiming the Masters. McIlroy’s ability to control trajectory in windy conditions and his wealth of Open experience make him a perennial threat.
The major-winning trio is completed by Aaron Rai (PGA Championship) and Wyndham Clark (U.S. Open), both of whom add depth to an already stacked field. Rai’s accuracy and calm temperament could prove invaluable at Birkdale, while Clark’s power game gives him a different route to contention if conditions allow. There is also strong European interest. England’s Tommy Fleetwood will draw significant home
support and has long been tipped as a future Open champion, particularly given his comfort on links terrain. Jon Rahm, always a force in majors, combines power with creativity, while Matt Fitzpatrick brings a methodical approach and improved length that could suit Birkdale’s demands.
Adding intrigue is the course’s history: Jordan Spieth triumphed here in 2017 with a memorable display of resilience, underlining how adaptability often outweighs raw power on this layout. What sets the Open Championship apart is its purity. Played on traditional links courses shaped by nature, it strips golf back to its essence. Unpredictable weather, firm-running fairways and strategic bunkering reward those who can think their way around the course as much as execute. It is as much a mental battle as a physical one.
As the world’s best descend on Royal Birkdale, the stage is set for another chapter in Open lore, where creativity, courage and control will ultimately decide who lifts the Claret Jug.
The Open Championship facts
- It’s the oldest golf major, first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.
- The winner lifts the iconic Claret Jug, officially called the Golf Champion Trophy.
- It’s the only major played on links courses, featuring natural terrain, dunes and coastal winds.
- Royal Birkdale is considered one of the fairest Open venues, with clearly defined fairways among
the dunes. - The Open rota moves around different historic courses, unlike the other majors which have more fixed venues.
Open Championship stats
- 156 years since the first Open Championship (1860 → 2026)
- 14 clubs originally allowed in the bag (now limited to 14 since 1938)
- 72 holes played across 4 days (standard format since 1892)
- 11 times Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open (including 2026)
- –20 lowest winning score in Open history (Henrik Stenson, 2016)
The Open Championship:Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July – LIVE on SuperSport Golf
