Overview
- Play for the 154th Open Championship began on Thursday at Royal Birkdale with 156 players in the field and the top 70 and ties advancing after 36 holes.
- Defending champion Scottie Scheffler opened strongly and was near the early clubhouse lead after his front nine, recovering form after last week’s missed cut at the Genesis Scottish Open.
- Rory McIlroy remains a pre‑tournament favourite and tees later in a marquee group that includes Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick.
- Forecasters expect very firm, dry fairways and light winds at Birkdale, a setup that will reward accuracy off the tee and precise approach play over raw distance.
- Broadcasters worldwide are carrying the event and betting markets list Scheffler and McIlroy among the top choices, with pundits flagging local contenders such as Tommy Fleetwood and form players like Matt Fitzpatrick as dark‑horse threats.