Each of the last 12 editions of The Open has been won by a first-time champion. But will the action continue this week and who can challenge the world’s best for a major victory?
Padraig Harrington was the last player to win back-to-back titles at The Open and defend his title in 2008, and no player has lifted the Claret Jug for a second time since Ernie Els won at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2012.
Scottie Scheffler is looking to end both records by successfully defending his title, a year after completing the third leg of his career Grand Slam by winning at Royal Portrush. The world number one is aiming to bounce back from the shock of missing the cut at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open.
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Defending Open champion Scottie Scheffler looks back on his 2025 triumphs and looks ahead to a tough Royal Birkdale.
Four of the last five champion golfers have come from the United States. US Open champion Wyndham Clark, 2021 Open winner Colin Morikawa and well-informed Chris Gotterup are seeking extensions at Royal Birkdale this week.
“Royal Birkdale will be incredibly solid,” said Andrew Coltart of Sky Sports Golf. “Big hitters will have to be careful because their golf ball will pass through the fairway and into the thick rough. If your tee shot is short and smart, it will get the job done.”
Masters champion Rory McIlroy has another hope of lifting the Claret Jug for a second time after winning at Royal Liverpool in 2014. Four of the last five winners of The Open were ranked in the top six of the Official World Golf Rankings.
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See Rory McIlroy’s best shots over the years at The Open
“If you had asked me five years ago I would have said there would definitely be more Claret Jugs than Green Jackets,” McIlroy said. Sky Sports News About his previous major predictions. “I played well at the Open.
“I won it in 2014 but I’ve often finished in the top 10. Since then I’ve had two or three really good chances to win this tournament. I’d love to get my hands on another Claret Jug.”
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Rory McIlroy spoke to Sky Sports ahead of The Open at Royal Birkdale. Here the six-time major champion has his sights set on another Claret Jug.
Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose are all among the home hopefuls looking for a big win on Merseyside, with England looking for their first winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992.
Who will join McIlroy, Aaron Rye and Clark as major champions in 2026, and who could be the dark horse this week? We asked Sky Sports golf experts who will take home the $3.2 first prize and who could be a surprise pick for major glory.
Can England end their 34-year wait for an Open title?
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said: sky sports: “Given his charisma, what he stands for and who he is, I think it would be great for Fleetwood to be a major champion here in his hometown of Southport.
“Fleetwood has reached the peak of winning one of the biggest events on the PGA Tour, but he is not a serial winner. The next step is for him to win one of these majors. What great sportspeople do is they come to big stadiums and play.
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Tommy Fleetwood has said playing The Open in his hometown of Birkdale, Southport is a ‘dream opportunity’ as he aims to win his first major title this weekend.
“For Tommy, this is probably the biggest stadium out there, a lot taller than The Masters. Trying to win The Open Championship in the city you were born in. The stadium doesn’t get much bigger than that.
“Matt Fitzpatrick is the guy (British) picked as their favorite given his form this year. He’s got good form on the links. He’s a good iron player and that’s going to 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 Davis: Tommy Fleetwood
- Nick Doherty: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Wayne ‘Raider’ Riley: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Ewan Murray as Matt Fitzpatrick
- Tim Barter: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Andrew Coltart: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Mark Law: Scotty Scheffler
- Insi Mehmet: Justin Rose
- Josh Antman: Russell Henry
Who could be a surprise contender at The Open?
- Sir Nick Faldo: Jacob Bridgman
- Dame Laura Davis: Brian Harman
- Paul McGinley as Akshay Bhatia
- Rich Beam: Lee Min-woo
- Andrew Coltart as Kim Si-woo
- Nick Doherty: Alex Fitzpatrick
- Ewen Murray as Patrick Reed
- Wayne ‘Raider’ Riley: Russell Henry
- Tim Barter: Alex Fitzpatrick
- Mark Law: Joaquin Niemann
- Insi Mehmet: Sam Burns
- Josh Antman: Chris Gotterup
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Take a look back at the best and worst shots of former professional golfers and celebrities at The Open Zone.
When will The Open be shown live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with the final men’s major of the year getting underway on Sky Sports Golf at 6.30am on Thursday.
The first two rounds will feature at least 15 hours of action, with bonus feeds available on Sky Sports+ or Sky Sports AppExtended coverage begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.
