The Open 2026: Royal Birkdale’s changes put course management back in focus

The 154th Open begins at Royal Birkdale on Thursday 16 July, with the Claret Jug decided after four rounds on Sunday. It is the 11th time the Southport links has hosted the championship and the first since Jordan Spieth’s victory in 2017. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Spieth are all part of the field.
Fans checking the outright market at the best golf betting site will recognise most of the leading names, but results recorded at Birkda