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Birkdale Tee Times Hold; Final Putt Set for 6:40 p.m.

7/15/2026

40 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

R&A Holds Schedule

R&A Mark Darbon said there are no plans to change The Open’s tee times at Royal Birkdale.
The final putt is set for 6:40 p.m. Sunday, with R&A set to decide after England’s semi-final on Wednesday whether to tweak the schedule, while a three-hole playoff could finish before the 8 p.m. World Cup final.
The Open will not broadcast England’s semi-final, while 300,000 spectators are expected at the Merseyside links this week.

Summary

Fitzpatrick Demands Delay

Matt Fitzpatrick, world No. 3, urged the R&A to set later tee times so he can watch England’s World Cup semi-final at 07:19.
Eight English golfers must tee off before 08:00 BST, meaning most will miss the semi-final until after their early round.
A Sheffield United supporter bet £20 on England to win the World Cup, saying the match is his top priority before The Open.

History

Historical Context

Royal Birkdale Golf Club, granted Royal status in 1951, first hosted the Open Championship in 1954 and has staged the tournament ten times through 2017. In 1998, Mark O'Meara won the Open on the same day the FIFA World Cup final aired, creating a broadcast clash that repeats today as the R&A schedules early tee-times alongside England’s football semi-final.

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R&A Holds Schedule

R&A Mark Darbon said there are no plans to change The Open’s tee times at Royal Birkdale.
The final putt is set for 6:40 p.m. Sunday, with R&A set to decide after England’s semi-final on Wednesday whether to tweak the schedule, while a three-hole playoff could finish before the 8 p.m. World Cup final.
The Open will not broadcast England’s semi-final, while 300,000 spectators are expected at the Merseyside links this week.

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