Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Each of the last 12 editions of The Open has won a first-time champion, but will that run continue this week and who can challenge the world’s best for the big win?
Padraig Harrington was the last player to win back-to-back editions of The Open, defending his title in 2008, with no player lifting the claret jug a second time since Ernie Els’ 2012 victory at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
Scottie Scheffler is looking to end both records by successfully defending his title a year after winning at Royal Portash to complete the third leg of a career Grand Slam, with the world number one aiming to bounce back from a shock missed cut at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Open defending champion Scotty Scheffler reflects on his 2025 victory and looks ahead to a tough Royal Birkdale.
Four of the last five champion golfers have come from America, with US Open champion Wyndham Clarke, 2021 Open winner Colin Morikawa and in-form Chris Gotterup among those trying to extend that run at Royal Birkdale this week.
“Royal Birkdale is going to be incredibly strong,” said Sky Sports Golf’s Andrew Coultert. “Big hitters need to be careful because their golf ball will hit the fairway in rough rough. Short and smart off the tee will get the job done.”
Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who won at Royal Liverpool in 2014, is another hopeful to lift the Claret Jug for a second time, while four of the last five winners of The Open have come from the top six in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Check out a selection of Rory McIlroy’s best shots over the years at The Open
“If you had asked me five years ago, I would have said I would have had more claret jugs than green jackets,” McIlroy said. Sky Sports News About his earlier major predictions. “I played well at The Open.
“I won in 2014, but I’ve had a lot of top-10s. Since then I’ve had two or three really good chances to win this tournament. I’d like to get my hands on another Claret Jug.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy spoke to Sky Sports ahead of The Open at Royal Birkdale, where the six-time major champion has set his sights on another claret jug.
Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose are hoping for a big win on Merseyside as England look for their first winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992.
Which players will join McIlroy, Aaron Rae and Clarke as major champions in 2026 and who could be a dark horse this week? We asked Sky Sports golf pundits to name who they think will take home the $3.2 first prize and who could be a surprise pick for major glory…
Can England end 34-year wait for Open win?
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said Sky Sports: “With his charisma, what he stands for and who he is as a person, I think it will be great to have Fleetwood as a major champion in his hometown of Southport.
“Fleetwood is not a serial winner, although he has reached the height of winning one of the biggest events on the PGA Tour. The next level for him is to win one of these majors. What great athletes do is they come out and play on the big field.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Tommy Fleetwood says playing The Open at Birkdale in his hometown of Southport is a ‘dream opportunity’ as he aims to claim his first major this weekend
“For Tommy, it’s probably the biggest arena of them all, even higher than The Masters; trying to win The Open Championship in the city you’re in. Arenas don’t get much bigger than that.
“You like Matt Fitzpatrick (of England), because of his form this year. He’s got good form on the links. He’s a great iron player and that will be a key factor this week.”
Who will win the open?
- Paul McGinley: Scotty Scheffler
- Sir Nick Faldo: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Rich Beam: Tommy Fleetwood
- Dame Laura Davies: Tommy Fleetwood
- Nick Dougherty: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Wayne ‘Radar’ Reilly: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Ewen Murray: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Tim Barter: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Andrew Coultert: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Mark Rowe: Scotty Scheffler
- Insi Mehmet: Justin Rose
- Josh Antman: Russell Henley
Who could be the surprise competitor at The Open?
- Sir Nick Faldo: Jacob Bridgeman
- Dame Laura Davies: Brian Harman
- Paul McGinley: Akshay Bhatia
- Rich Beam: Min Woo Lee
- Andrew Coultert: Si Woo Kim
- Nick Dougherty: Alex Fitzpatrick
- Ewen Murray: Patrick Reid
- Wayne ‘Radar’ Reilly: Russell Henley
- Tim Barter: Alex Fitzpatrick
- Mark Roe: Joaquin Niemann
- Insi Mehmet: Sam Barnes
- Josh Antman: Chris Gotterup
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look back at the best and worst shots by former professional golfers and celebrities from The Open Zone
When is the Open live on Sky Sports?
Wall-to-wall action kicks off with the final men’s major of the year on Thursday at 6.30am on Sky Sports Golf, the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports Golf.
Sky Sports+ or The Sky Sports appwith extended coverage then beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday.
