| Event Name: | The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale |
|---|---|
| Event Start: | Sunday 12 July 2026 |
| Event End | Sunday 19 July 2026 |
| Host Venue: |
Royal Birkdale Golf Club |
| Address: |
Royal Birkdale Golf Club,Waterloo Road, Southport, England, PR8 2LX |
Golf’s oldest major returns in 2026 to England’s Royal Birkdale Golf Club between Sunday 12 – Sunday 19 July 2026, with the tournament days between Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July. 2026 will mark just the tenth time Royal Birkdale has staged the Open in its 154 year history. The last time was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth lifted the Claret Jug with a score of 268 (-12), three shots ahead of fellow American Matt Kuchar for his third major title. Royal Birkdale is located 10 minutes away from Southport and 30 minutes away from Liverpool on England’s northwest coast. Originally known as The British Open, Royal Birkdale first hosted The Open in 1954 when Australian Peter Thomson lifted the Claret Jug. Will you be there in 2026 to see who is crowned Champion Golf of the Year in 2026? Join the waitlist now.
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The Open Championship is run by the R&A, standing for Royal & Ancient society. This organisation has been a golf club since 14 May 1754. In the last century, it has evolved in three main areas: governing The Rules of Golf with the USGA, managing The Open Championship and other golf events, and the development of the sport worldwide. Formally known as The British Open, Golf’s oldest major rebranded to become The Open or The Open Championship.
The Open Championship is one of the most highly coveted golf majors, in equal standing with The US Masters, but it is much older competition in its 151st year at Royal Liverpool. The US Masters has been running for since 1934, while The Open began in 1860. The famed Claret Jug is the prize, along with being named the Champion Golfer of the Year. The prize pool is around $10 million, though the winner receives around $2 million. This is low when compared to other golf majors. The integrity of The Open Championship and renown that comes from winning it is why players return every year.
The Open rota is played on various golf courses in the United Kingdom, with the 148th Open being just the second time the major was held outside of Britain. Royal Portrush saw it once in 1951, and again in 2019 where Shane Lowry raised the Claret Jug. The 153rd Open Championship will return to Royal Portrush in 2025 before returning for the tenth time to Royal Birkdale.
Format
Occurring over a week, the first half from Monday to Wednesday involves practice days. These are usually the best days to see all players because there is no chance of them missing the tournament cut. Thursday to Sunday are all tournament days. From a field of around 156 players, there are 73 left after the cut from Thursday onwards. The format is stroke play over four days, with 18 holes played each day.
Play is in groups of three in the first two days, and groups of two in the final two days. They are assigned as pairs by officials on the initial two days, Â with each player having one morning and one-afternoon tee-time. In the final two days, players tee off in reverse order of accumulated score, with the leaders last. After 36 holes, only the two 70 and tied players remain in the tournament and complete in the third and fourth round. If players are tied for the win on Sunday, they enter a 3-hole playoff, followed by sudden death if no winner emerges from the playoff.
Royal Portrush – Dunluce Course
3-time host of Golf’s Oldest Major, The Royal Portrush Golf Club has two courses. The Valley Course is lesser-known under the shadow of The Dunluce Course. It is the Dunluce Course that is The Open Championship route. Designed by Old Tom Morris & reworked by Harry Colt, the par 72 links golf course measures 6,691 metres (7,317 yards); it is one of the longest links courses on The Open Rota. Royal Portrush was formed as a club back in May 1888, known at the time as The County Club; it became The Royal Country Club in 1892. Ranked the 8th Best Golf Course in The World by Golf Digest, Royal Portrush Dunluce Course is a spectacular 18-hole route overlooking The Atlantic Sea.
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