The 2026 golf season reaches its final major this week as the 154th Open Championship gets underway at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. The iconic venue hosts The Open for the first time in nine years, with players set to battle for the Claret Jug in one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler returns looking to retain his title, although the world No. 1 has endured a season filled with near misses despite consistently producing elite performances.
Rory McIlroy enters the championship in strong form after an impressive showing at the Scottish Open and is widely expected to challenge for the title. Home hopes will also be high as England searches for its first Open champion since Nick Faldo in 1992, with Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose leading the charge. With a world-class field assembled at Royal Birkdale, the stage is set for another memorable edition of golf’s oldest major championship.
When Is The 2026 Open Championship? Full Schedule, Dates And Round Timings
| Date | Round | First Tee Time (BST) | First Tee Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 16, 2026 | Round 1 (Three-ball groupings) | 6:35 a.m. | 11:05 a.m. |
| Friday, July 17, 2026 | Round 2 (Three-ball groupings) | 6:35 a.m. | 11:05 a.m. |
| Saturday, July 18, 2026 | Round 3 (Two-ball pairings) | 8:00 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 19, 2026 | Final Round | 8:00 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. |
Where To Watch The 2026 Open Championship Live In India, USA And UK
| Country | TV Broadcast | Live Streaming | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Eurosport India | FanCode, JioTV App (Eurosport feed) | Live coverage of all four rounds |
| USA | NBC, USA Network | Peacock |
Thu & Fri: 1:30–4:00 a.m. ET (Peacock), 4:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET (USA Network) Sat: 5:00–7:00 a.m. ET (USA Network), 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock) Sun: 4:00–7:00 a.m. ET (USA Network), 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock). Peacock also offers all-day featured groups and featured holes coverage. |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports Main Event | Sky Sports App, NOW | Live coverage throughout the tournament. Free daily highlights available on BBC Two each evening. |
Top Featured Groups And Must-Watch Pairings At The 2026 Open Championship
The opening rounds of the 154th Open Championship feature several marquee groups, with tournament organizers pairing many of the world’s biggest stars together at Royal Birkdale. One of the standout groups sees world No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler tee it up alongside Bryson DeChambeau and England’s Tyrrell Hatton. Another blockbuster pairing includes Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, bringing together three major champions expected to be among the title contenders.
Fans will also be keeping a close eye on Jordan Spieth, who returns to the venue where he lifted the Claret Jug in 2017. The former champion has been grouped with Jon Rahm and hometown favorite Tommy Fleetwood in one of the most anticipated trios of the week. Another strong pairing features Brooks Koepka, 2019 Open winner Shane Lowry and recent PGA Championship champion Aaron Rai, promising plenty of fireworks over the opening two rounds.
Several other notable groups add further excitement to the championship. Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark and Cameron Young have been drawn together, while Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose and Russell Henley also headline an impressive grouping. With so many elite players sharing the course in the early rounds, fans can expect a thrilling start to the final major of the 2026 golf season.
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