British Open 2026: Scottie Scheffler goes on birdie run on Birkdale's front nine

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler made a strong start to his 2026 Open Championship defense at Royal Birkdale on Thursday, July 16, recording four birdies on the front nine in the first round. The performance came despite Scheffler suffering his first missed cut in nearly four years at the Genesis Scottish Open the previous Friday. Scheffler is the defending Open Championship titleholder entering the 2026 edition of the major.