154th Open Championship Returns to Royal Birkdale

Rory McIlroy Seeks Home Inspiration After Mix‑Result Season

Royal Birkdale is welcoming the 154th Open for the 11th time, its first hosting since 2017. Rory McIlroy arrives on the back of a solid Masters defence, but his major form has slipped, highlighted by a joint‑seventh at the US PGA and a tie for 32nd at the US Open. He points to a disappointing six‑hole stretch at Shinnecock Hills as the reason for the recent dip, yet three top‑seven finishes in his last four Opens—including a Claret Jug win at nearby Royal Liverpool in 2014—give him confidence heading into the home‑soil event.

The Southport crowd is expected to provide a boost for the Northern Irishman, who has not yet reclaimed the title since his solitary major triumph. His recent results suggest he is nearer to his best than the leaderboard positions might indicate, and the home advantage could be the catalyst he needs to return to the summit of the game.

Bryson DeChambeau on Edge of Historic Grand Slam Miss

American Bryson DeChambeau arrives at Birkdale aiming to avoid an unwanted first‑time record: missing the cut in all four majors in a single calendar year. This marks his worst stretch since becoming eligible for all four majors in 2018, when he failed to make the weekend in more than one major on only one prior occasion. His recent competitive play has been limited to a LIV‑tour event at Shinnecock Hills, where he failed to break par in both rounds.

The combination of a less‑than‑sharp game and the limited tournament practice ahead could hinder his chances at a successful major campaign this summer.

Scottie Scheffler Targets Back‑to‑Back Open Glory

World number one Scottie Scheffler is the first contender to attempt a successful Open defence since Padraig Harrington’s win at the same venue in 2008. Only 16 players in the event’s history have managed consecutive titles, and Scheffler’s major results this season—joint second at the Masters, 14th at the US PGA, and tied fourth at the US Open—show he is in contention despite not being at peak form. A repeat of Harrington’s achievement would also mark the first successful back‑to‑back Open win for an American player in two decades.

If Scheffler can navigate the new course set‑up and the fervent home crowd, he could add his name to that exclusive list of double‑winning champions.

New Birkdale Layout Adds Fresh Challenge for Players

Five holes have been altered since the 2017 Open, with the most notable changes occurring on the back nine. The former 15th has been renumbered as the 14th, tweaked for different positioning, while the new 15th is a 241‑yard par three—the third‑longest in Open history. This hole is designed to run predominantly downwind, flanked by left bunkers and a broad right runoff, making green‑side accuracy critical, according to head professional Gregg Pettersen.

Pettersen warns that “getting the ball to stop on the green could be difficult as the wind gets up. It does want to run away from you. There could be big moments here.” The revised holes are expected to test both short‑game precision and strategic shot‑making throughout the final round.

England’s Hopefuls Revive Long‑Lost Open Dream

Sir Nick Faldo’s 1992 victory remains the last time an Englishman lifted the Claret Jug. This year, 13 English players are in the field, led by recent US PGA champion Aaron Rai, plus Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick—both major winners. Southport native Tommy Fleetwood, paired with Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton, also enters as a contender.

Rose has been the most consistent major performer, never falling below 11th place this season. Hatton posted two top‑seven finishes and one missed cut, while Rai’s sole major finish was an 11th at the US Open. With Faldo’s era long past, this gathering of talent offers the best chance in years for an English golfer to reclaim the historic title.