Rory McIlroy begins his Open campaign today, looking to win his second major of the season after retaining the Masters in April.
The Northern Irishman, 37, became just the fourth man to win back-to-back titles at Augusta, following in Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Sir Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods’ (2001-2002) footsteps.
McIlroy has won once at the Open, in 2014, and in doing so became the third golfer ever to win three different majors by 25 years old, after victories in the 2011 US Open and 2012 PGA Championship. He won a second PGA Championship title in 2014.
However, that Open win was his last until 2025. The nine-year absence from major glory ended in his Masters victory last year, as he also completed a career grand slam by achieving victory in all four majors.
He described that near-decade gap as a “burden” and “very difficult”, but by following it up with another Masters win, McIlroy has proved he is unlikely to undergo a repeat. He is now on six major championship wins.
The 154th Open is being held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport for the first time in nine years. Last year, the tournament was held at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush in Northern Ireland.
McIlroy’s sole victory was held at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake.
When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Open today?
McIlroy tees off at 3.15pm BST on day one - Thursday, July 16, 2026 - at the Royal Birkdale.
He will play alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick.
What time does the Open start?
The first group tees off for the second round today in Stockport at 6:35am BST.
Open 2026 day one tee times
(All times BST)
6:35am: Matt Baldwin, Thomas Detry, James Nicholas
7:08am: Henrik Stenson, Max Homa, Joe Dean
7:19am: Robert MacIntyre, Rickie Fowler, Alex Fitzpatrick
9:36am: Russell Henley, Justin Rose, Viktor Hovland
9:47am: Justin Thomas, Alex Noren, Jason Day
9:58am: Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau
10:09am: Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm
2:31pm: Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, Adam Scott
2:42pm: Collin Morikawa, JJ Spaun, Nicolai Hojgaard
2:53pm: Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai, Brooks Koepka
3:04pm: Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Ludvig Åberg
3:15pm: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick
How to watch the Open 2026
TV channel: All four days of the Open are being televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage set to start at 6.30am.
