The final chapter of the 2026 major championship season has officially begun. The historic links of Royal Birkdale in England play host to the 154th Open Championship, bringing a dramatic close to what has been a relentless 100-day sprint in the golf world. In just a few days, the Claret Jug will be hoisted, and golf fans will face a grueling nine-month wait to do it all over again. But right now, the ultimate test in golf is underway.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters the week as the betting favorite once more, despite carrying a rare blemish: a missed cut at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, his first weekend off since 2022. Looming closely behind in the odds is Rory McIlroy, fresh off a top-10 finish in Scotland. Yet, a strange, introspective mood hung over Royal Birkdale early in the week, with both superstars openly discussing the inevitability of their competitive mortality.
All times are Eastern Time (ET). Make sure your alarms are set for the ultimate early-morning links viewing experience.
The morning wave features a blockbuster pairing with Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau playing side-by-side, while Rory McIlroy anchors a stellar afternoon group.
| Tee Time (ET) | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
| 2:19 AM | Robert MacIntyre | Rickie Fowler | Alex Fitzpatrick |
| 4:36 AM | Russell Henley | Justin Rose | Viktor Hovland |
| 4:47 AM | Justin Thomas | Alex Noren | Jason Day |
| 4:58 AM | Scottie Scheffler | Tyrrell Hatton | Bryson DeChambeau |
| 5:09 AM | Jordan Spieth | Tommy Fleetwood | Jon Rahm |
| 9:31 AM | Chris Gotterup | Sam Burns | Adam Scott |
| 9:42 AM | Collin Morikawa | JJ Spaun | Nicolai Hojgaard |
| 9:53 AM | Shane Lowry | Aaron Rai | Brooks Koepka |
| 10:04 AM | Cameron Young | Wyndham Clark | Ludvig Aberg |
| 10:15 AM | Rory McIlroy | Xander Schauffele | Matt Fitzpatrick |
Can the best ball-striker in the world shake off a historical anomaly? Scheffler’s missed cut in Scotland shocked the golfing system, ending a streak of consistency stretching back to 2022. Royal Birkdale’s penal rough and unpredictable coastal winds will immediately test whether last week was merely a speed bump or a symptom of late-season fatigue.
With 15 LIV Golf members in the field, the breakaway tour is desperately searching for a statement victory to close out 2026. While the venture itself faces mounting questions about its long-term viability, its two brightest crown jewels—Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau—remain incredibly dangerous. A legitimate run at the Claret Jug on Sunday would provide massive validation for the league.
Expect the early-morning wave to face the rawest, dampest conditions, meaning the grouping of Scheffler and DeChambeau will have to play highly disciplined, defensive golf from the opening tee. While DeChambeau will try to overpower the course, Scheffler’s peerless iron play should allow him to systematically navigate the links layout and stay firmly in the hunt. However, keep a close eye on the afternoon wave: Rory McIlroy, playing alongside Xander Schauffele, will benefit from a drying course. If McIlroy can harness his Scotland momentum and tune out the external noise, he is primed to post a stellar opening round and set the pace for the weekend.
Jose Reis is a sports enthusiast and performance specialist with a background in administration and sports media. As a former sports podcaster and broadcaster, José has spent years analyzing athletic performance and the evolution of competitive sports. At TheGymWaves, he applies his analytical mindset to explore fitness technologies, ergonomic tools, and habit-building frameworks. José specializes in high-performance optimization, helping readers select the best tools and routines to enhance physical output and cognitive health through structured, data-driven habits.
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