Story perspectives

154th Open Launches at Royal Birkdale, Scheffler Defends

7/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The 154th Open Championship opens Thursday, July 15, 2026 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England.
A 156-man field will play a 7,223-yard layout that is fast, unusually dry, with a new par-3 15th, reshaped 14th after a 2024 renovation, while forecasts call for warm temperatures, little rain, sea breezes around 20 mph.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion, with challengers Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Aaron Rai, English players drawing local support.

History

Historical Context

The Open Championship, founded in 1860, has long rotated among Scotland’s links courses, with Turnberry debuting in 1977 and Royal Birkdale first hosting in 1954. Both venues maintain the traditional 156-player field, a format solidified at Turnberry and retained for the 2026 Open, underscoring the tournament’s enduring coastal challenge for elite competitors.

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Story summary

The 154th Open Championship opens Thursday, July 15, 2026 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England.
A 156-man field will play a 7,223-yard layout that is fast, unusually dry, with a new par-3 15th, reshaped 14th after a 2024 renovation, while forecasts call for warm temperatures, little rain, sea breezes around 20 mph.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion, with challengers Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Aaron Rai, English players drawing local support.

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