The Open Championship 2026
Overview
Dates: July 16, 2026 to July 19, 2026
Location: Southport, Merseyside, England
Course: Royal Birkdale
Course Par: 70
Course Length: 7223
Prize Purse: $17000000
Last week review:
Our selections never truly built on their promising starts. Kristoffer Reitan faltered badly on Friday, missing the cut with room to spare, while Marco Penge failed to ignite at any stage. The real intrigue came from our long‑shot, Oliver Lindell, who opened with genuine promise at +39,000. His comfortable passage into the weekend had us more than a little excited, but he ultimately treaded water, finishing T36.
Ryan Gerard climbed steadily through the field yet never threatened the places, settling for T26. Meanwhile, the form horse Wyndham Clark closed at T13, but never looked like mounting a serious challenge.
The story of the week belonged to Tom Kim, who captured his first title in four years. After a couple of wilderness seasons, Kim looked every bit the player who burst onto the scene years ago — a reminder that his talent remains very much alive.
Preview
The 154th Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, July 16–19, 2026. With a $17 million purse and a winner’s share of $3.1 million, the Claret Jug will once again be contested on one of the most iconic links in golf. Expect a demanding test shaped by Irish Sea winds, revetted bunkers, and fast‑running fescue fairways — a venue that has crowned legends from Arnold Palmer to Jordan Spieth.
Tournament Overview
Dates: July 16–19, 2026
Venue: Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England
Edition: 154th Open, 11th time at Birkdale
Field: 156 players
Defending Champion: Scottie Scheffler (2025 winner at Royal Portrush)
Purse & Rewards
Total Purse: $17 million
Winner’s Share: $3.1 million
FedExCup Points: 750
OWGR Points: 100
Exemptions: Five‑year major exemption, PGA TOUR exemption, Open entry until age 55
Architects: Hawtree & J.H. Taylor (1932 redesign)
Style: Championship links routed through valleys between towering dunes
Course Characteristics:
Penal rough and native fescue
Deep revetted pot bunkers
Exposed greens vulnerable to crosswinds
Recent Changes (2026)
New par‑3 15th (241 yards)
Rebuilt par‑4 5th with risk‑reward tee shot
Adjusted par‑5 14th with added bunkering
Elevated green at par‑3 7th
Previous Open Winners
Recent Champions
2025 — Scottie Scheffler
2024 — Brian Harman
2023 — Cameron Smith
Royal Birkdale Roll Call
2 past Birkdale champions are in the field. Spieth + Harrington.
2017 — Jordan Spieth
Early Struggles: Spieth began Sunday with a three‑shot lead but quickly faltered, carding three bogeys in his first four holes. By the 12th, he was tied with Matt Kuchar at −8.
The 13th Hole Drama: His drive sailed 100 yards right into a dune. After a 25‑minute ruling, Spieth took relief from the practice area near equipment trailers and somehow salvaged a bogey. This moment became one of the most unforgettable rulings in Open history.
Momentum Shift: Refocused, Spieth nearly aced the par‑3 14th, then drained a 40‑foot eagle putt at the par‑5 15th. He followed with birdies at 16 and 17, playing the final five holes in five under par.
Closing Out: A steady par at 18 sealed a one‑under 69, a 12‑under total of 268, and a three‑shot victory over Kuchar.
2008 — Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington’s final round at Royal Birkdale in 2008 was a masterclass in resilience and shot‑making under brutal links conditions. Starting the day with a narrow lead, Harrington battled swirling winds and a firm, unforgiving course that punished even the slightest error. His defining moment came at the par‑5 17th, where he unleashed a towering 5‑wood from 249 yards to within three feet, converting the eagle putt to slam the door on his rivals. That fearless strike sealed a closing 69 and a four‑shot victory over Ian Poulter, earning Harrington back‑to‑back Open Championships and cementing his reputation as one of the great links players of his era.
Wind & Weather Conditions
Prevailing Winds: South‑westerlies off the Irish Sea
Impact: Negligible
Crosswinds dominate, demanding shot‑shaping both ways
Tee shots often sheltered in dune valleys, but approaches fully exposed
July rough at 4–5 inches makes accuracy paramount
Historical Note: In 2008, winds were so severe some pros couldn’t reach the 11th fairway from the back tee. Gusts of 20–40 mph could once again define the championship.
Keys to Success at Royal Birkdale
Driving Accuracy > Raw Distance — fairways framed by dunes demand precision.
Wind Management — ability to flight shots low and shape both ways.
Scrambling & Short Game — deep bunkers and shaved run‑offs punish misses.
Patience — the closing stretch (holes 12–18) is among the toughest in links golf.
The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale will reward precision, creativity, and resilience in the wind. With a $17 million purse and a roll call of past champions in the field, expect a leaderboard stacked with elite ball‑strikers and a Sunday finish shaped by the Irish Sea breeze — a fitting stage for golf’s oldest major.