British Open returns to a new Royal Birkdale and an old chase for the claret jug

The 154th edition of the British Open is underway at Royal Birkdale golf club in Southport, England, with the tournament beginning on or around July 15, 2026. Amateur Baldwin hit the opening tee shot of the championship, splitting the fairway to applause, while James Nicholas, playing in his second consecutive major, made an opening bogey after pulling his tee shot into the rough. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is among the competitors chasing the Claret Jug trophy.