The 2026 Open Championship: Everything a Beginner Needs to Know

The Open Championship is one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. Think of it like the Super Bowl of British golf, but played over several days on a big outdoor course. Let’s break down what’s happening in the 2026 version in a super simple way!

What Is Happening at the 154th Open?

• The 154th Open Championship is being played at a place called Royal Birkdale (a famous golf course in England).
• Last year (2025), Scottie Scheffler won the Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. He finished four strokes ahead of Harris English (that means he played four shots better overall).
• Big questions people are asking this year:
  • Can Rory McIlroy win his second major tournament of the year?
  • Will local favorite Tommy Fleetwood become the first English winner since 1992?
• We have everything covered from start to finish: rankings before the tournament, all the weekly news, and more.

Important: You can find the Third-round tee times (the schedule of when players start playing) right here: Third-round tee times

How to Watch (Like a TV Guide for Grown-Ups)

Here is when and where you can watch the golf on TV or online. (ET means Eastern Time in the US.)

Saturday, July 18

• 5 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET: Round 3 on NBC (the main TV channel)
• 5:09 – 10:09 a.m. ET: Featured group on Peacock (streaming service)
• 6:25 – 11:25 a.m. ET: Featured group on Peacock
• 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET: Par-3 channel on Peacock (watching the short holes)
• 7:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET: Third round – Sky Show on Peacock
• 8:25 – 1:25 p.m. ET: Featured group on Peacock
• 8:45 – 1:45 p.m. ET: Featured group on Peacock

Sunday, July 19

• 3:15 – 8:15 a.m. ET: Featured Group 1 LIVE on Peacock
• 4 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET: Final round on NBC
• 5:30 – 10:30 a.m. ET: Featured Group 2 on Peacock
• 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET: Par-3 channel on Peacock
• 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET: Final round – Sky Show on Peacock
• 7:35 – 12:35 p.m. ET: Featured group on Peacock
• 7:45 – 12:45 p.m. ET: Featured group on Peacock

Video: Sam Burns had ‘no idea’ about tying major record (a short 26-second clip).

Open Championship News

Lots of little stories are happening during the tournament. Here are the headlines:

• DeChambeau got 2 penalty shots for a mistake on hole 5. Read
• Rahm got a warning for throwing his club. Read
• McIlroy made the cut (qualified to keep playing) but needs a great weekend for win #2. Read
• Herbert and Burns both shot 62s, matching a major record. Read
• Suber leads a day of surprises in his first Open. Read
• Scheffler and DeChambeau both under par after first round. Read
• Scheffler favored to win, but bettors like Europeans. Read
• Golfers eye ‘unprecedented’ conditions at Royal Birkdale. Read
• Scheffler: Missing cut no fun, but second place hurts worse. Read
• DeChambeau has ‘zero strategy’ for links golf, Faldo says. Read
• Fleetwood aims to win 1st major at hometown course. Read
• UK’s Joe Dean wins last spot in Open. Read
• Tom Kim wins Scottish Open before this. Read
• Scheffler misses cut at Scottish Open, ending streak. Read

Highlights From the Second Round (Including a Record Day)

• Picture: Lucas Herbert and his caddie on the 13th tee.
• Top sights and sounds from Round 2 at Royal Birkdale. Read

Day 1: An Unlikely Leader, Bryson’s Bounce-Back, and Rory’s Struggles

• Jackson Suber had never been to Europe before, and now he’s the first-round leader!
• Picture: Jackson Suber is the first-round leader.
• Full story: Read

Best Sights, Sounds, and Shots From the First Round

• Picture: Bryson DeChambeau on the 4th green.
• Check out the top highlights from opening round. Read

Experts’ Picks and Betting Tips

• Picture: Matt Fitzpatrick has won three times this season.
• Our experts say who they think will win and where betting value is. Read

Open Championship Odds

• Video: How YouTube helped Jackson Suber learn Birkdale (41 seconds).
• Scheffler is the favorite; McIlroy and Fleetwood are next. Read

Top Storylines

• Picture: Rory McIlroy in practice.
• Is Scheffler or McIlroy the favorite? Can an English golfer win at home? What will Royal Birkdale be like? Read

Open Championship Top 25 Rankings

• Picture: ESPN illustration of tiers.
• Who is No. 1: Scheffler or McIlroy? Where does Fleetwood rank? Read

2025 Open: Scheffler’s Dominance

• Picture: Scheffler won last year at Royal Portrush.
• His final round was a masterclass on the way to a fourth major title. Read

2025 Open: Scheffler Wins by Four Strokes

• He won the 2025 Open for the third leg of the career Grand Slam. Read

Summary

The 2026 Open Championship (the 154th one) is at Royal Birkdale. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champ from 2025, where he beat Harris English by four shots. This year, everyone is watching if Rory McIlroy can win another major, if Tommy Fleetwood can be the first English winner since 1992, and if surprise leader Jackson Suber can keep it up. You can watch on NBC and Peacock on July 18–19, and there’s tons of news, highlights, and expert picks to enjoy.

FAQ

Q: What is the Open Championship?
A: It’s a super famous golf tournament played in the UK, and it’s the oldest major in golf. Think of it as a big week of the best players hitting balls into holes.

Q: Who is Scottie Scheffler?
A: He’s a golfer who won the 2025 Open by four strokes and is the favorite to win again in 2026.

Q: How can I watch the 2026 Open?
A: On Saturday and Sunday (July 18–19), watch on NBC or stream on Peacock using the times listed above.

Q: What does “made the cut” mean?
A: After two rounds, only the best players get to keep playing. If you “make the cut,” you’re good enough to stay for the weekend.

Q: Why is Tommy Fleetwood a big deal?
A: He’s English and playing near home, and no English player has won this since 1992—so fans really hope he can do it!