THE 154th Open has returned to the historic Royal Birkdale Golf Course, on the edge of Southport, Merseyside, with play running until:- 19 July 2026. The Open Golf Championship was 1st held in 1860, this 154th edition remains one of the most prestigious championships in global sport, featuring a diverse international field of competitors who have qualified from across every continent.
This year, the world’s elite golfers have gathered on the Lancashire coast to compete for the iconic Claret Jug. Among those vying for the title are reigning champion:- Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and local favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who returns to the course where he first dreamed of professional success as an 8 year old. The prestige of golf’s original Championship is matched by its significant rewards, with a:- $17 million purse and a winner’s share of:- $3.1 million on the line.
For spectators attending the Championship, please note that current high temperatures have resulted in an active:- 'Yellow Heat Alert' for parts of the:- North West of England, including:- Merseyside. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, remember to drink plenty of fluids and utilise the free drinking water points located around the course; bringing a reusable water bottle is highly recommended.
Additionally, for fans keeping an eye on other major sporting events, please be advised that the World Cup semi finals taking place on:- Tuesday, 14 July and Wednesday, 15 July 2026, will not be broadcast on-site at Royal Birkdale. Spectators wishing to follow the football should plan their evenings accordingly, as many local venues across Birkdale, Ainsdale, Churchtown, Southport, Formby, and Liverpool are set to show the matches.
This year, the world’s elite golfers have gathered on the Lancashire coast to compete for the iconic Claret Jug. Among those vying for the title are reigning champion:- Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and local favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who returns to the course where he first dreamed of professional success as an 8 year old. The prestige of golf’s original Championship is matched by its significant rewards, with a:- $17 million purse and a winner’s share of:- $3.1 million on the line.
For spectators attending the Championship, please note that current high temperatures have resulted in an active:- 'Yellow Heat Alert' for parts of the:- North West of England, including:- Merseyside. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, remember to drink plenty of fluids and utilise the free drinking water points located around the course; bringing a reusable water bottle is highly recommended.
Additionally, for fans keeping an eye on other major sporting events, please be advised that the World Cup semi finals taking place on:- Tuesday, 14 July and Wednesday, 15 July 2026, will not be broadcast on-site at Royal Birkdale. Spectators wishing to follow the football should plan their evenings accordingly, as many local venues across Birkdale, Ainsdale, Churchtown, Southport, Formby, and Liverpool are set to show the matches.
More information about the Open Golf at Royal Birkdale can be forund online at:- TheOpen.Com.
The 154th Open, currently taking place at Royal Birkdale, marks the 11th time the club has hosted the Championship. It is worth adding that the Royal Birkdale is widely regarded as 1 of the fairest yet most challenging tests in championship golf, distinguished by several unique features that set it apart from other traditional links course. Todaye, a total, 14 different links golf courses have hosted The Open Championship since its inception in 1860. These venues are spread across:- Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. While many of these sites remain on the modern:- "rota" of courses that host the tournament periodically, some are historic venues that are no longer part of the current rotation.
The 14 courses that have hosted The Open are:-
| Golf Course | Number of Times Hosted |
|---|---|
| St Andrews (Old Course) | 30 |
| Prestwick Golf Club | 24 |
| Muirfield | 16 |
| Royal St George’s Golf Club | 15 |
| Royal Liverpool Golf Club | 13 |
| Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club | 11 |
| Royal Birkdale Golf Club | 11 |
| Royal Troon Golf Club | 10 |
| Carnoustie Golf Links | 8 |
| Musselburgh Links | 6 |
| Trump Turnberry (Ailsa Course) | 4 |
| Royal Portrush Golf Club | 3 |
| Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club | 2 |
| Prince’s Golf Club | 1 |
Did you know? If you look at that the most up to date golf club directory shows that within UK and Ireland, their are almost 3,000 golf courses listed?
