The 154th Open Championship got underway at Royal Birkdale on Thursday, July 16, 2026, drawing golf fans from across the globe to Merseyside. More than 300,000 spectators are expected over the tournament, with local hero Tommy Fleetwood and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler among the favourites for the Claret Jug.
Fleetwood Battles to One-Under Par
Southport-born Tommy Fleetwood, chasing his first major title, finished the first round at one-under par (69) despite describing his performance as “awful.” He received a rapturous welcome from the home crowd as he teed off shortly after 10am. After going one-under on the front nine, he made bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes but recovered with a birdie-par-birdie-par finish over the final four holes.
“I played awful,” Fleetwood admitted. “I struggled a lot. I started to hit some fairways eventually, but my iron play was non-existent. It was a really good round of battling. I made life difficult for myself, but I'm really happy with one under - you could play great and still not shoot that.” He added: “The crowd helped me a lot today. They support me so much and want me to do so well... they help me in that sense and carry me that bit more on a day like today when struggling. It's really special and I'm so grateful to everybody.”
Royal Birkdale Member Hits Opening Tee Shot
Matt Baldwin, a 40-year-old Royal Birkdale member from nearby Churchtown, had the honour of hitting the first tee shot of the championship. He finished two-over par and described the experience as “terrifying” but unforgettable. “It was an incredible feeling. It was terrifying. It was overwhelming. But it's something that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he said. “I'm not even sure I lifted my head, if I'm honest. I remember waving at a couple of people, but at the end of the day, your focus is obviously hitting the golf shot, isn't it? There's time to wave at people after, I guess. Yeah, it was amazing. I couldn't have asked for more, support-wise. It took me back, to be honest.”
Visitors Praise Merseyside Hospitality
Spectators from around the world heaped praise on the region. Kelly Burris, 37, and Jason Burris, 38, from Orlando, Florida, are visiting Merseyside for the first time with their two children and staying in Liverpool. Jason said: “Everybody is so nice. The manners, just being friendly, helpful to one another, we've really appreciated that on our trip.”
David Seabourne, 64, David Shephard, 62, Stanley Shephard, 23, and Charles Downe, 22, travelled from the Cotswolds and London, dressed in colourful matching outfits. “We've been looking forward to this for 364 days. Since the last time,” Seabourne said. He added: “[Merseyside] is absolutely fantastic. We've been before for Royal Liverpool, could we not just play it here every time? The atmosphere is great, the middle of Liverpool is where we are staying, and it is absolutely superb. The weather has really helped. We would come back every year if we could.”
Local Pride on Display
Alice Gray, 25, from Crosby, said the event paints Scousers “in a lovely light.” She commented: “It's lovely. As Scousers, you're really proud of where you come from aren't you? Hearing people talk about how welcoming everyone's been, even all the guys holding the ropes and everything, how friendly they are paints us in a lovely light.”
Richie Vam dem Boss, 63, and Michelle Vam dem Boss, 63, from Woolton Village, are enjoying having the tournament on their doorstep. Richie said: “It's absolutely brilliant. Just jump on the train, get here, get the sun, the beers only £8 - it's £6 in Woolton - it's been brilliant. We've been out this morning early to see all the stars play golf. So far, so good.” He added: “I've been having a drink with people from Scotland, and from Yorkshire. We've had great banter, and we're all getting on. It's just great to show our city, I class this as still our city. We're going to have a great day.”
