2026 Open Championship Weather Forecast and Broadcasting Details

Round 3 of the 2026 Open Championship arrives at Royal Birkdale on July 18. The first two days offered picture‑perfect conditions, and early signs point to a similar scenario on Saturday. A modest 55 % chance of rain is forecast for one brief hour, with temperatures ranging from a high of 74 °F to a low of 52 °F. Northwest winds will gust up to roughly 21 mph, adding a modest tactical element to the day’s play.

Round 3 Conditions at Royal Birkdale

Lucas Herbert expects the greens to stay firm after he and Sam Burns posted the major championship‑record 62 in the early rounds. The fairways should remain dry, though a short drizzle could pass through the course during the third round. Daytime temperatures will hover in the low‑70s, giving golfers a comfortable temperature swing of about 20 degrees. A northwest wind will keep the shoot‑low approach shots challenging.

Jackson Suber sits near the top of the leaderboard after the opening round’s play, and the forecast suggests he’ll have plenty of firm ground to work with. The cooler breezes could benefit longer hitters, while occasional gusts may disrupt shorter approach shots. With minimal rain expected, the emphasis will be on precise iron play and handling the wind.

Any brief rain that does fall should not stall the competition, as officials have indicated that play will continue unless conditions become unsafe. The wind, however, will be a consistent factor that many players will need to adapt to throughout the round. Comfortable 70s weather will keep the field fresh for a full day of competition.

TV and Streaming Options

U.S. viewers can catch the weekend action on USA Network and NBC. The third and fourth rounds start on USA at 5 a.m. on July 18 and 4 a.m. on July 19 before shifting to NBC at 7 a.m. both days. Saturday’s schedule runs until 3 p.m., while Sunday’s broadcast wraps at 2 p.m.

Streaming options include Peacock, which offers featured group and hole‑by‑hole coverage, and Sling, which carries the USA Network feed for cord‑customers. For cord‑cutters, Fubo provides the full NBC broadcast, making it a convenient all‑in‑one choice.

With rain unlikely to cause delays, the main competitive challenge will be coping with the northwest wind and executing precise shots on a course that stays dry and firm. Fans can follow every shot on the platforms listed above as the field battles for the coveted green jacket.