2026 Golf Major Preview - The 154th Open Championship: Who will raise the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale? July 16, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

The height of golf season has arrived. On Thursday, 16 July 2026, the world's finest golfers tee it up in Southport, England, as the opening round of the 154th Open Championship gets underway at the iconic Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

This year's championship marks the 11th occasion that Royal Birkdale has hosted the race for the Claret Jug, returning for the first time since Jordan Spieth's memorable 2017 triumph, highlighted by his remarkable recovery from the dunes on the 13th hole.

Royal Birkdale: A Classic Links Challenge

Royal Birkdale is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of traditional English links golf. Unlike many historic links courses known for blind tee shots and hidden landing areas, Birkdale is celebrated for its fair and straightforward design.

Its fairways weave through towering sand dunes that create natural amphitheaters for spectators while offering golfers clear sightlines from tee to green. Players who find the fairways are rewarded with unobstructed approaches, while those who stray into the thick rough or deep bunkers quickly discover how demanding the course can be.

Course Changes for 2026

To keep pace with today's longer-hitting professionals, several holes have been updated ahead of this year's championship.

• Hole 4 (Par 3):
  The hole has been extended by 25 yards, and the primary greenside bunker has been reshaped. The redesign now allows players to use a low, running shot onto the green if conditions permit.
• Hole 5 (Par 4):
  Now playing 25 yards shorter, the hole features newly positioned fairway bunkers in key landing areas, creating a genuine risk-and-reward decision for players tempted to drive near the green.
• Hole 7 (Par 3):
  The tee has been relocated, changing the visual angle to the prevailing wind by approximately 45 degrees. In addition, the elevated green now punishes inaccurate tee shots with steep runoff areas on both sides.

154th Open Sports Bet Odds

Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win the 154th Open. Here are our latest odds:

• Scottie Scheffler is favored to win his 2nd Open title with money line of +800.
• Rory McIlroy is Scheffler's main opponent with money line of +950.
• Tommy Fleetwood is one of the looming threats with a money line of +1500.

Weather Forecast

Southport is expected to enjoy unusually warm and dry weather throughout championship week, creating firm, fast-running fairways and lightning-quick greens that will place a premium on precision and imagination.

Storylines to Watch

Scottie Scheffler Defends the Claret Jug
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returns as the defending Open champion after capturing the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in 2025. While he has continued to produce outstanding golf throughout the season, he is still searching for his first major victory of 2026. With his elite ball-striking and consistency, Scheffler once again enters the week as the player to beat.

Rory McIlroy Chases Major No. 7
Fresh off completing the career Grand Slam with his Masters victory earlier this year, Rory McIlroy now has his sights set on a seventh major championship. Royal Birkdale's demanding links layout rewards creativity, precision, and exceptional short-game touch—qualities that perfectly suit McIlroy when he is at his best.

Tommy Fleetwood's Homecoming
Few players will receive more support than Southport native Tommy Fleetwood. Having grown up playing golf in this area, Fleetwood knows Royal Birkdale as well as anyone in the field. Winning his first major championship on home soil would be one of the most memorable moments in Open history.

Bryson DeChambeau Faces the Dunes
Bryson DeChambeau's power has transformed many golf courses, but Royal Birkdale presents a very different challenge. Its narrow fairways, towering dunes, and punishing rough reward accuracy over distance. It will be fascinating to see whether DeChambeau's aggressive style can conquer one of links golf's sternest examinations.

Featured Round One Tee Times (BST)

Several marquee groups headline Thursday's opening round. They are:

Time (BST)	Group
8:36 AM	Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, Russell Henley
8:58 AM	Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton
9:09 AM	Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood
2:04 PM	Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, Cameron Young
2:15 PM	Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick

Final Thoughts

When Royal Birkdale's fairways become dry and firm, distance alone is no longer enough. Every bounce, every gust of wind, and every strategic decision takes on added importance. Success this week will belong not to the longest hitter, but to the player who best controls trajectory, manages the ever-changing conditions, and embraces the unique demands of true links golf. By Sunday evening, only one golfer will have mastered Royal Birkdale's timeless challenge and earned the honor of lifting the Claret Jug.