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Royal Birkdale Opens; Scheffler Leads, LIV Golf Competes

7/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 2026 Open Championship opens Thursday, July 16, at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.
Scottie Scheffler leads the odds at +700, with Rory McIlroy at +850.
Twelve LIV Golf players, including Jon Rahm, compete in a likely final major before Saudi funding ends after 2026.
The tournament offers a 7:30 a.m. Last-Chance Qualifier for twelve golfers and features Tom Mackenzie’s redesign with a par-4 5th and a new 241-yard par-3 15th.

History

Historical Context

The PGA Tour launched the FedEx Cup in 2007, and a 2009 five-year, $250 million deal let Tiger Woods win the inaugural $1.5 million prize. Since then the Tour has repeatedly reshaped points and payouts, most recently expanding its bonus pool. The 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale now fields twelve Saudi-backed LIV Golf players, echoing those earlier financial-driven integration attempts.

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Story summary

The 2026 Open Championship opens Thursday, July 16, at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.
Scottie Scheffler leads the odds at +700, with Rory McIlroy at +850.
Twelve LIV Golf players, including Jon Rahm, compete in a likely final major before Saudi funding ends after 2026.
The tournament offers a 7:30 a.m. Last-Chance Qualifier for twelve golfers and features Tom Mackenzie’s redesign with a par-4 5th and a new 241-yard par-3 15th.

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