Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Scheffler Defends Open Amid English Drought Since Faldo

7/14/2026

42 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Scheffler Seeks Repeat

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will try to repeat at the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale.
Scheffler missed the Genesis Scottish Open cut, ending his made-cut streak that began in July 2022.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are tied at 16-1 odds to win the Open.
No English golfer has won the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, making a Fitzpatrick or Fleetwood victory a major storyline.

Summary

DeChambeau, Rahm Compete

Sixteen LIV Golf members, led by Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, are in the 2026 Open field at Royal Birkdale, where PGA Tour and LIV players compete together before LIV’s uncertain future.
Dustin Johnson withdrew, ending his 38-major streak since 2009.
Sergio Garcia missed qualification and blamed a sketchy lasagna lunch for his second round.
Phil Mickelson skipped the Open for family health reasons and conduct scrutiny, missing four majors.

History

Historical Context

Nick Faldo’s 1992 Open win at Muirfield was his third Claret Jug and the last victory by an Englishman for 34 years. The championship returns to England in 2026 at Royal Birkdale, a key European Tour stop, giving English golfers their first chance since Faldo to end the drought and reaffirm the Open’s historic link to the European circuit.

1 of 3

Scheffler Seeks Repeat

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will try to repeat at the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale.
Scheffler missed the Genesis Scottish Open cut, ending his made-cut streak that began in July 2022.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are tied at 16-1 odds to win the Open.
No English golfer has won the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, making a Fitzpatrick or Fleetwood victory a major storyline.

1 / 3