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Scottie Scheffler Leads Early at 2026 British Open Amid LIV Golf Spotlight
At 2:19 a.m. ET, the first green at Royal Birkdale glimmered under the low sun, and the world’s top‑ranked golfer, Scottie Scheffler, already seemed poised to take the early lead. The 2026 Open Championship, the oldest major in golf, kicked off Thursday, July 16, under the watchful eye of the R&A.
The schedule featured two 4‑hour sessions: a morning start at 2:19 a.m. ET and an afternoon session that began at 4 a.m. ET, giving players an extended 8‑hour window to battle the links and weather conditions that could swing the outcome.
Scheffler was placed in the 4:58 a.m. group with Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, while Rory McIlroy received a later tee time at 10:15 a.m. ET, joining Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick in the final part of the first round.
By 9:14 a.m. ET, the leaderboard had Alex Smalley at –5, propelled by a birdie on the 15th that nudged him ahead. Scheffler sat tied for fourth at –3 after four birdies in his first six holes, and DeChambeau matched him at –3, marking his first cut at a major this year.
Weather was unusually benign for a British Open, with a forecast of 82 °F and wind speeds between 8 and 14 mph, and no rain expected—a sharp contrast to the damp, wind‑blasted links that often define the championship and can upend even the most seasoned competitors.
The field’s 15 LIV Golf members, including Jon Rahm and DeChambeau, have drawn attention to the new league’s trajectory. A strong showing from any of them could carry weight amid ongoing scrutiny and uncertainty surrounding LIV, which has faced criticism and calls for its legitimacy.
McIlroy, a two‑time champion, had finished in the top‑10 at the Genesis Scottish Open the week prior, but his recent miss at that event marked his first cut loss since 2022, adding a layer of anticipation to his later start and the possibility of a redemption arc.
Other notable performances emerged early: Smalley’s birdie on the 15th was a highlight praised by commentators, while local favorite Tyrrell Hatton entered the clubhouse at –3 after a solid start, showing that home‑crowd advantage can translate into tangible numbers.
The schedule will carry on with the second round on Friday, July 17, the third round Saturday, July 18, and the final Sunday, July 19, when the coveted Claret Jug will be awarded to the champion, adding a tangible prize to the strategic battle already underway.
As the Open unfolds, attention will remain on the leading players, the impact of the mild weather, and the performance of LIV golfers—all factors that will shape discussions about the future of the league. The R&A and the tournament’s official website will provide live updates and final scores, with the next major update slated for after the second round when the leaderboard will shift and any changes to the field’s composition will be announced.
The schedule featured two 4‑hour sessions: a morning start at 2:19 a.m. ET and an afternoon session that began at 4 a.m. ET, giving players an extended 8‑hour window to battle the links and weather conditions that could swing the outcome.
Scheffler was placed in the 4:58 a.m. group with Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, while Rory McIlroy received a later tee time at 10:15 a.m. ET, joining Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick in the final part of the first round.
By 9:14 a.m. ET, the leaderboard had Alex Smalley at –5, propelled by a birdie on the 15th that nudged him ahead. Scheffler sat tied for fourth at –3 after four birdies in his first six holes, and DeChambeau matched him at –3, marking his first cut at a major this year.
Weather was unusually benign for a British Open, with a forecast of 82 °F and wind speeds between 8 and 14 mph, and no rain expected—a sharp contrast to the damp, wind‑blasted links that often define the championship and can upend even the most seasoned competitors.
The field’s 15 LIV Golf members, including Jon Rahm and DeChambeau, have drawn attention to the new league’s trajectory. A strong showing from any of them could carry weight amid ongoing scrutiny and uncertainty surrounding LIV, which has faced criticism and calls for its legitimacy.
McIlroy, a two‑time champion, had finished in the top‑10 at the Genesis Scottish Open the week prior, but his recent miss at that event marked his first cut loss since 2022, adding a layer of anticipation to his later start and the possibility of a redemption arc.
Other notable performances emerged early: Smalley’s birdie on the 15th was a highlight praised by commentators, while local favorite Tyrrell Hatton entered the clubhouse at –3 after a solid start, showing that home‑crowd advantage can translate into tangible numbers.
The schedule will carry on with the second round on Friday, July 17, the third round Saturday, July 18, and the final Sunday, July 19, when the coveted Claret Jug will be awarded to the champion, adding a tangible prize to the strategic battle already underway.
As the Open unfolds, attention will remain on the leading players, the impact of the mild weather, and the performance of LIV golfers—all factors that will shape discussions about the future of the league. The R&A and the tournament’s official website will provide live updates and final scores, with the next major update slated for after the second round when the leaderboard will shift and any changes to the field’s composition will be announced.
