The Open 2026 Championship Live Updates

The 2026 Open is off to an electric start at Royal Birkdale, with the links buzz alive in Southport, England. Among the early leaders, a relative newcomer has seized the top spot, playing only his sixth round on links terrain. The defending champion got off to a fiery begin but slipped after the first six holes, while Rory McIlroy recorded a count of six bogeys on Thursday. Fans can follow the rapidly unfolding drama through live leaderboard updates, tee‑time schedules, and broadcast details below.

Leaderboard Highlights After Day One

• Jackson Suber – ‑5
• Sungjae Im and Daniel Brown – ‑4 (tied for 2nd)
• Thomas Detry, Robert MacIntyre, Francesco Molinari, Alex Smalley, Bryson DeChambeau, Ryan Gerard, MJ Daffue, Pierceson Coody, and Cameron Young – ‑3 (tied for 4th)

These figures come directly from the opening leaderboard posted at Royal Birkdale.

Second‑Round Tee‑Time Groups

• 2:30 a.m. ET – Sami Valimäki, Shaun Norris, Jackson Suber
• 7:25 a.m. ET – Robert MacIntyre, Rickie Fowler, Alex Fitzpatrick
• 7:47 a.m. ET – Sungjae Im, Dan Brown, Fifa Laopakdee (a)
• 10:04 a.m. ET – Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau

These groupings were arranged based on how the first round performances unfolded.

Where to Watch the Action

• Peacock TV – carries coverage from 1:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. ET.
• FuboTV – offers USA Network streams for East‑coast viewers.

Both platforms provide live and on‑demand options for fans on different continents.

Projected Cut Information

The cut line for this week’s field is available on datagolf.com, where analysts post real‑time projections throughout Friday’s round.

Prize Money and Purse Details

The champion of the 2026 Open will walk away with $3.2 million, which represents 18 percent of the total $17.75 million purse. This fund stands as the largest in Open history, though it remains the smallest among the four men’s majors.

Weather Outlook at Royal Birkdale

Friday is expected to bring clear skies, a high around 76 °F, and sunshine with wind gusts reaching 22 mph. The unusually warm, dry conditions are notable for an Open held at a traditional links venue.

Future Hosting Plans

• 2027 – St Andrews, Old Course (Scotland)
• 2028 – Royal Lytham & St Annes (England)

These are the only confirmed venues beyond the current week, setting a short‑term schedule compared with the USGA and PGA of America.

Recent Winners Context

Among the recent champions, Francesco Molinari claimed the title in 2018, the last time the event was staged at Royal Birkdale. The full list of the past ten winners includes several notable names, with Molinari highlighted in the source material.

The drama at Royal Birkdale continues, and fans can stay tuned for the latest leaderboard shifts, tee‑time updates, and broadcast details as the tournament moves toward Sunday’s decisive round.