The 2026 British Open kicks off Thursday morning at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. The final major championship of the year should be a fun one, especially with the steamy weather conditions that should have the course playing hard and fast.
There are no shortage of storylines, too. From Bryson DeChambeau looking to make his first cut at a major this year, to Scottie Scheffler looking to defend his title, this one has the makings of being a special British Open.
Let’s break down the eight juciest pairings for the first two rounds.
Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton: 4:58 a.m. ET/10:04 a.m. ET
This pairing is going to make you want to get up very early in the morning on Thursday. Scheffler is coming off his first missed cut in 78 events and is looking to win his first major of the year. DeChambeau hasn’t made the cut yet at a major this year and it would be wild if he missed another one. Tyrrell Hatton is always must-see TV with all of his instant reactions to his shots, plus he could be a contender this week. Fire up the coffee and plop down on the couch for this one.
2026 British Open Betting Preview: Picks, Predictions, Odds for Royal Birkdale
Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood: 5:09 a.m. ET/10:15 a.m. ET
This pairing, which comes right after the Scheffler-DeChambeau group, has three fun storylines to follow. Jordan Spieth won the British Open the last time it was played at Royal Birkdale in 2017 but hasn’t won a major since then. Tommy Fleetwood is playing in his hometown and will have everyone cheering for him as he makes his way around the legendary course. Jon Rahm needs a good showing after missing the cut at the Masters and the U.S. Open.
Quiz: Can you name the last 10 British Open winners? (with hints)
Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele: 10:15 a.m. ET/5:09 a.m. ET
This star-studded pairing will pick up the action later in the morning on Thursday before serving as your wake-up call early on Friday. McIlroy hasn’t won a British Open since 2014 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club and would love nothing more than to win his second major of the year. Matt Fitzpatrick, who has been playing great golf this year with three wins on the PGA Tour, is looking to win his first British Open. Xander Schauffele won the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club and is looking to win his third major.
Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Aberg, Cameron Young: 10:04 a.m. ET/4:58 a.m. ET
Wyndham Clark is looking to win his second straight major after taking home the U.S. Open last month. Can he go wire-to-wire like he did at Shinnecock? Ludvig Aberg is looking for his first major win and has the game to get it done. Cameron Young won the Players Championship in March but has yet to win a major.
Justin Rose, Russell Henley, Viktor Hovland: 4:36 a.m. ET/9:42 a.m. ET
Justin Rose will be another fan-favorite this week as the Englishman will be looking to win his first British Open. The 45-year-old has two second-place finishes (2018, 2024) and has been playing some very solid golf this year. Russell Henley is the No. 5-ranked player in the world and is looking for his first major win. Viktor Hovland missed the cut at the U.S. Open last month but then found something on the range at Shinnecock and beat Scheffler in a playoff at the Travelers Championship. Which Hovland will show up at Royal Birkdale? We’re going to have to get up early Thursday to find out.
Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai, Brooks Koepka: 9:53 a.m. ET/4:47 a.m. ET
All three players in this group have won a major, with Aaron Rai being the most recent at the PGA Championship in May. Shane Lowry won the 2019 British Open at Royal Portrush. Brooks Koepka, who missed the cut last week at the Scottish Open, has won five majors but is still looking for his first British Open victory.
Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, Adam Scott: 9:31 a.m. ET/4:25 a.m. ET
Gotterup is arguably the hottest golfer in the world right now, having won four times in last year, including a few weeks ago at the John Deere Classic. He’s now the No. 6-ranked player in the world and a win this week would turn him into a star. Sam Burns came an inch away from forcing a playoff at the U.S. Open last month and is ready to go just days after his wife gave birth to their second child. Adam Scott won the 2012 British Open and his playing in his 101st straight major, which is incredible.
Tom Kim, Billy Horschel, Mason Howell: 8:31 a.m. ET/3:25 a.m. ET
Tom Kim is officially back after winning the Scottish Open last week. He finished third at the U.S. Open last month and seems ready to be a contender again. Mason Howell is an amateur who has had one heck of a year, having played in the Masters and the U.S. Open.
