Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale as Scheffler defends title
The 156-player field at Southport’s coastal course includes 15 LIV Golf members, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the golf calendar as the Claret Jug is once again up for grabs.
The 2026 Open Championship commences on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, marking the return of the R&A to a venue that has not hosted the event in some time. As the final major of the 2026 golf season, the tournament concludes a nine-month cycle of championship play, with the winner set to be crowned Champion Golfer of the Year and awarded the Claret Jug.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters the field as the betting favourite, aiming to secure his second title of the season. His entry follows a missed cut at the Genesis Scottish Open, a result that marked his first failure to advance past the halfway stage since 2022. Despite this recent setback, Scheffler remains the primary target for competitors, with the gap between him and Rory McIlroy having narrowed significantly on the odds board.
McIlroy is positioned as a key contender, having achieved a top-10 finish at the previous week’s Scottish event. The Ulsterman is seeking to capture his third major championship in the last two years at a tournament he holds in high esteem. He is scheduled to tee off in the afternoon wave at 10:15 a.m. ET, paired with Xander Schauffele and English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick.
A central narrative for the week involves the English contingent, who are aiming to secure a home victory for the first time since 1992. Matt Fitzpatrick, alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, represents the nation’s best chance to lift the trophy on home soil. Their performance at Royal Birkdale will be closely watched as the local crowd seeks a significant sporting triumph following recent international football outcomes.
The tournament field consists of 156 golfers, including 15 members of LIV Golf, with prominent figures such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm participating. DeChambeau is paired with Scheffler in the early morning wave, scheduled to tee off around 4:58 a.m. ET. CBS Sports is providing comprehensive coverage of the event, with live streaming available on Peacock starting at 1:30 a.m. and television coverage on USA Network from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
