2026 Open Championship Round 2: Suber Leads, Scheffler Chases

Suber Makes a Bold First‑Day Statement

< Refugee >Jackson Suber, a 26‑year‑old from Tampa who played college golf at Ole Miss, has turned heads with a 5‑under 65 on Thursday at Royal Birkdale. The former amateur turned pro in 2022 has three top‑10 PGA Tour finishes, his best 2026 results being fourth at the RBC Canadian Open and THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. After his round, Suber holds a one‑shot advantage over Sungjae Im and Daniel Brown as the clubhouse leader.

Top Pros Eye the Cut Line

Round 2 also serves as the cut day, trimming the field from 156 to the top 70 golfers (and ties). Players such as Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Matt Fitzpatrick sit on the bubble, needing solid scores to avoid missing the weekend. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa are among the notables who will tee off in the afternoon, aiming to stay in contention.

Key Tee Times for Today’s Action

The early grouping at 2:30 a.m. ET features Sami Valimäki, Shaun Norris and Jackson Suber. The morning shifts bring established stars: at 10:04 a.m., Scottie Scheffler teams with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau. Other high‑profile groups include Jordan Spieth with Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm at 10:15 a.m., and Brian Harman paired with Si Woo Kim and Nick Taylor shortly after.

How to Follow the Action

Coverage airs on NBC, USA Network and NBC Sports Network, with live streams available via Peacock and Fubo. The official leaderboard can be accessed through the USA TODAY sports portal, giving real‑time updates on scores and positions. All times are listed in Eastern Time throughout the broadcast schedule.

Weather and Course Conditions

Friday’s forecast calls for decreasing clouds, a high of 75 °F and a low of 56 °F. A north‑west wind at about 10 mph will bring gusts up to 23 mph, keeping the course firm but not overly windy. Players will face a dry layout that rewards precise shot placement.

Prize Money Set to Hit New High

The winner’s share has been bumped to a record $3.2 million, while the total purse reaches $17.75 million—$500 000 more than last year’s event. The increase reflects the growing financial stakes of golf’s oldest major, now a $3.2 M payday for the Claret Jug holder.

Why This Championship Matters

This week’s Open showcases a deep field of talent, with emerging stars like Suber challenging the established elite. The cut pressure adds an extra layer of strategy, forcing even the most consistent players to execute under scrutiny. As the tournament progresses, the combination of historic tradition, hefty payouts and intense competition makes every round pivotal for contenders.