SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Facts and figures for the British Open golf championship:
Event: 154th Open Championship.
Dates: July 16-19.
Site: Royal Birkdale GC. Length: 7,223. Par: 70.
Field: 156 players.
Playoff (if necessary): 3 holes, aggregate score.
Prize money: TBA ($17 million in 2025).
Winner’s share: TBA ($3.1 million in 2025).
Defending champion: Scottie Scheffler.
Last year: Scheffler stretched his lead to seven shots during the final round in another major runaway. He closed with a 3-under 68 at Royal Portrush for a four-shot victory, his second major of the year and the third leg of the career Grand Slam.
Last time at Royal Birkdale: Jordan Spieth overcame a wild ride on the back nine with a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie stretch to pull away for a three-shot victory over Matt Kuchar. Spieth had the third leg of the Grand Slam at age 23.
Recommended for you
British Open champions at Royal Birkdale: Jordan Spieth (2017), Padraig Harrington (2008), Mark O’Meara (1998), Ian Baker-Finch (1991), Tom Watson (1983), Johnny Miller (1976), Lee Trevino (1971), Arnold Palmer (1961), Peter Thomson (1954 and 1965).
Major champions in 2026: Rory McIlroy (Masters), Aaron Rai (PGA Championship), Wyndham Clark (U.S. Open).
American run: Americans have won the claret jug the last three years, their longest streak at the British Open in 20 years.
Course changes: The reachable par-4 fifth hole was altered to eliminate the blind shot. The old par-5 15th hole now plays as the 14th hole, and a new par-3 15th hole was created to play at 241 yards.
Key statistic: Rory McIlroy is the only player to win a major this year while being ranked in the top 10 in the world.
Worth noting: The British Open has gone the longest without a back-to-back winner (2007-08) of the four majors.
Worth quoting: “It’s pure golf. Yeah, there’s luck involved. But if you keep hitting good shots, luck will be in your favor.” — Harris English.
Television (all times EDT): Thursday-Friday, 1:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. (Peacock), 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (USA Network); Saturday, 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. (USA Network), 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. (USA Network), 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (NBC).
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.