The final men’s major championship of the year returns to one of golf’s most iconic venues this week as the 154th Open Championship heads to Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. The famed links course, hosting The Open for the first time since 2017, is expected to provide the stern test that has defined the championship for more than 150 years, with unpredictable weather, deep bunkers and firm fairways likely to separate the world’s best players from the rest of the field.

Scottie Scheffler enters the week as the defending champion and the betting favorite after another remarkable season that has cemented his status as the world’s top player. His consistency from tee to green and ability to avoid costly mistakes make him an ideal fit for links golf, where patience and precision are often rewarded more than power. 

A victory at Royal Birkdale would make Scheffler the first player to successfully defend The Open since Padraig Harrington won consecutive championships in 2007 and 2008.

Standing in Scheffler’s way is a loaded field led by Rory McIlroy, who arrives in England after another outstanding major season. McIlroy captured the Masters earlier this year to complete the career Grand Slam and now seeks his seventh major championship. 

The Northern Irishman has spoken highly of Royal Birkdale’s layout, praising its fairness and shot-making demands, and believes the course rewards creativity as much as execution.

Several other contenders will look to challenge for the Claret Jug. Xander Schauffele has consistently performed well in major championships and possesses the all-around game needed to contend on links courses. 

Tommy Fleetwood, one of England’s most popular golfers, will have strong home support as he attempts to win his first major championship. 

Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth also enter the week as legitimate contenders, with Spieth hoping to recreate the magic of his memorable victory the last time The Open was played at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

As always, weather could become the tournament’s biggest storyline. Calm conditions can allow players to attack the course, but strong coastal winds and sudden rain showers can quickly transform Royal Birkdale into one of the most demanding tests in championship golf. Players who keep the ball low, manage their misses and stay patient over four rounds typically find themselves near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

The Open also represents the final opportunity for many players to capture a major championship this season. For veterans searching for another defining moment and rising stars hoping to announce themselves on golf’s biggest stage, the pressure will be immense from the opening tee shot.

With one of golf’s deepest fields, a historic venue and countless storylines entering the week, the 2026 Open Championship promises to deliver another memorable chapter in the sport’s oldest major. Whether Scheffler continues his dominance, McIlroy adds another major to his remarkable career, or a new champion emerges from the winds of Royal Birkdale, the race for the Claret Jug should provide one of the year’s most compelling sporting events.