Jackson Suber Takes Early Lead at British Open

At age 26, Jackson Suber is savoring his first trip to Europe as he opens a one‑shot advantage at Royal Birkdale. The former Georgia Tech standout posted a 5‑under 65 on Thursday, the best round of the day, thanks to a stretch where he collected four birdies in five holes. The pulse‑quickening performance puts the un‑tipped PGA Tour winner on top of the leaderboard for the first time. Suber, who has yet to capture his first tour victory, will tee off in the early wave at 2:30 a.m. ET on Friday.

Who’s Hot Behind Suber

The race for the lead is tightly packed. Sungjae Im and Daniel Brown sit just one stroke behind after matching Suber’s morning charge. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, still searching for a major cut this season, carded a 3‑under 67 and leads a larger group sitting three strokes off the top. DeChambeau’s round was the only sub‑par score he posted in his major play so far, marking a promising shift in form.

The tee‑time schedule reflects the depth of talent chasing Suber. The morning field includes early starters like Sami Valimaki, Shaun Norris and Suber at 2:30 a.m., while the mid‑morning wave features big names such as Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton and DeChambeau at 10:04 a.m. Later slots spotlight veterans Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, who tee off just after 5 a.m.

Key Friday Tee Times

• 2:30 a.m. ET: Sami Valimaki, Shaun Norris, Jackson Suber
• 4:58 a.m. ET: Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Åberg
• 5:09 a.m. ET: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick
• 9:53 a.m. ET: Justin Thomas, Alex Noren, Jason Day
• 10:04 a.m. ET: Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau

With Suber’s surprise surge, the British Open’s early momentum is already set for an intense day of battling winds and fickle fairways. Golf fans can expect more fireworks as the field lines up across the Atlantic, chasing the leader’s early advantage.