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2026 Open Targets Record Crowd, Course Revamp, Scheffler Defends

7/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The R&A expects 300,000 spectators at the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale, beating the 235,000 record, and has shortened holes 5 and 7, removed hole 14 and added a new par-3 on 15.
Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1, will defend his Open July 16-19 2026 and seeks a back-to-back win since Padraig Harrington in 2007-08.
English players Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy could end the 1992 English Open drought.

History

Historical Context

Interest in professional golf surged after the 1996 release of Adam Sandler’s comedy Happy Gilmore, which earned $41.4 million on a $12 million budget and cultivated a golf-centric cult following. Directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Universal Pictures, it also won the 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight. That mid-1990s boost parallels today’s record Open attendance, illustrating the sport’s expanding global fan base.

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Story summary

The R&A expects 300,000 spectators at the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale, beating the 235,000 record, and has shortened holes 5 and 7, removed hole 14 and added a new par-3 on 15.
Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1, will defend his Open July 16-19 2026 and seeks a back-to-back win since Padraig Harrington in 2007-08.
English players Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy could end the 1992 English Open drought.

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