The Road to Royal Birkdale
The prestigious 154th Open Championship has officially teed off, marking the final major tournament of the season. This year, the event returns to the iconic Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England—a venue steeped in golfing history.
Heading into this competition, the golf world has seen a diverse display of talent. The previous three majors of the year were claimed by three distinct champions: Rory McIlroy secured the Masters, Aaron Rai dominated the PGA Championship, and Wyndham Clark triumphed at the U.S. Open.
Top Contenders and Venue History
All eyes are on world number one Scottie Scheffler, who aims to bounce back following a missed cut at the Scottish Open. He faces a formidable field, with high expectations surrounding stars such as Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Tommy Fleetwood as they vie for the Claret Jug.
Royal Birkdale is no stranger to the spotlight, hosting the Open Championship for the 11th time. The course last hosted the event in 2017, a tournament famously remembered for Jordan Spieth’s wire-to-wire performance, where he secured a three-shot victory over Matt Kuchar. That win remains the most recent major championship title for Spieth.
Broadcast and Streaming Schedule
Fans looking to follow the 2026 Open Championship can catch the action across various platforms. Digital coverage is available via the Golf Channel’s official website, their mobile platform, and the dedicated application.
Viewing Schedule (All times Eastern):
- Thursday, July 16 (Round 1): 1:30–4:00 a.m. (Peacock); 4:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (USA Network)
- Friday, July 17 (Round 2): 1:30–4:00 a.m. (Peacock)
- Saturday, July 18 (Round 3): 5:00–7:00 a.m. (USA Network); 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
- Sunday, July 19 (Final Round): 4:00–7:00 a.m. (USA Network); 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)