Our preview to The Open at Royal Birkdale 2026 is on sale now. Will Scottie Scheffler retain the Claret Jug? Order your copy for a hole-by-hole guide.
Royal Birkdale Hosts The Open
Tiger Woods called it the ultimate achievement in golf, Seve Ballesteros described it as the greatest moment of his life, and Jack Nicklaus believes a career is not truly complete unless it happens. Since Old Tom Morris stood on the 1st tee at Prestwick, the great and the good, professionals and amateurs, have all dreamt of winning The Open.
Thousands have tried, but only 91 have succeeded in the 166 years since. As the latest edition heads to Royal Birkdale, we have produced a stunning 48-page unofficial preview of what is set to be a thrilling four days of action on the famous links course.
A Course for Champions
Fair but demanding, dramatic and spectacular, the course is best known for the menacing sand dunes that guard the fairways. Only the very best win here. Peter Thomson (twice), Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, and Jordan Spieth – the list of Birkdale champions contains some of the all-time greats.
The Masters may be revered for its azaleas and magnolias, but check out the view from the 11th tee box at Birkdale, with a 360-degree panorama of the dunes and the Irish Sea. “If you ask anybody playing this week that’s been here before they’ll say it’s one of the best courses in the world,” said local hero Tommy Fleetwood, who was born three miles up the road. “It is very arguably the best Open venue.”
Scottie Scheffler's Title Defense
There has been no repeat champion since Ernie Els won his second title in 2012, with the subsequent 12 winners all first-timers. Scottie Scheffler will hope to buck that trend. The Texan was at the peak of his immense powers when he raced to a four-shot win at Royal Portrush a year ago. While on paper, the world number one winning with ease may sound dull, it was a masterful display and privilege to watch.
Rory McIlroy is always well-fancied and, fresh from a second Masters in a row, will surely be somewhere near the top of the leaderboard. Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Tyrell Hatton will fly the English flag. Incredibly, there has been no English winner since Nick Faldo in 1992.
Contenders and Course Guide
The smart money is on an American, with Scheffler the fourth player in a row from the other side of the pond to walk away with the Claret Jug. Recently-crowned US Open champion Wyndham Clark will be dangerous, while previous Open champs Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa are in form. We take a look at all the leading contenders, turn the spotlight on Fleetwood as he bids to become a home hero, and also provide a hole-by-hole guide of one of the most testing courses on the Open circuit. And there's plenty of nostalgia too as we look back at the Open's most memorable moments.
