British Open 2026 at Royal Birkdale Kicks Off with Mixed Results

English Contingent Faces Early Hurdles

The home crowd has assembled a strong 21‑player squad hoping to end a 34‑year drought for a British Open title, the last English victory dating back to Tony Jacklin in 1969. Among the contenders, Justin Rose—the world No. 3 and PGA champion—failed to deliver, shooting a 75 with seven bogeys and sitting 135th after the opening round. Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked just behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, managed a 2‑over 72 and sounded frustrated with the firm fairways and gusty wind. Aaron Rai, chasing a second major of 2026 after his PGA Championship win, posted a 71, while Tommy Fleetwood, the hometown favorite, salvaged a 69 by birdieing two of his final four holes and credited the crowd’s energy for pulling him through. England’s best finishers were Dan Brown, who tied for second with a 66, and Jordan Smith, who shared 13th place after a 68.

David Howard’s Courageous British Open Debut

The Irish amateur arrived at the first tee already nervous, then faced a roar reminiscent of Rory McIlroy’s welcome, forcing him to wave for silence. Howard, who lives with cystic fibrosis, posted a 4‑over 74 but said the experience meant far more than his score. His story has resonated worldwide, giving others with CF a symbol to look up to and stay motivated. He remains determined to make the weekend cut, embodying the fighting spirit he says defines people with his condition. “We’re not quitters,” he declared, promising to keep battling through the struggle.

Henrik Stenson Signals PGA Tour Return

The 50‑year‑old Swede revealed that his “ankle bracelet” will be removed at the end of August, clearing the way for a PGA Tour comeback after his 2022 switch to LIV Golf and subsequent suspension. Stenson fired a 68 at Royal Birkdale, his best opening round since a similar score at Royal Troon in 2016 when he beat Phil Mickelson and set a major‑championship record of 264. This week marks only his fourth competition of the year, following appearances on the Senior PGA Championship, the U.S. Senior Open, and a Legends Tour event in Barbados. He plans to catch up with the tour after spending part of the summer coaching his son Karl, who is competing in Sweden, and will link up with PGA Tour Champions in the fall.

Jackson Suber Enjoys First British Open and Europe Experience

Suber earned his spot by tying for fourth at the RBC Canadian Open, marking both his debut on links golf and his first trip to Europe. Although he did not post the needed 65 to lead after 18 holes, he praised the layout and the charm of nearby towns, noting a recent outing to Liverpool with his fiancée and Pierceson Coody and his wife. The Florida native, who played college golf at Ole Miss, said he’s savoring the four‑day grind and even decided not to drive, trusting someone else behind the wheel on the opposite side of the road. He’s focused on making the most of this historic event while taking in the cultural side of the UK.

First‑Round Divots and Notable Scores

Padraig Harrington, playing his seventh consecutive week across the PGA Tour, European Tour, and PGA Tour Champions, opened with an 80. Jordan Spieth, the 2017 Royal Birkdale champion, managed a lone birdie in a 73‑stroke round. Harry Hall opened with a 77 and, barring a dramatic turnaround, is on track to miss the cut in all four majors this season. Those early highs and lows set the stage for a competitive weekend at one of golf’s oldest trophies.