Open Championship Sets 9:58 a.m. Scheffler Group, 3:15 p.m. McIlroy Trio at Royal Birkdale
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Open Championship Sets 9:58 a.m. Scheffler Group, 3:15 p.m. McIlroy Trio at Royal Birkdale
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Summary
The R&A split its biggest stars across Thursday’s two waves, putting defending champion Scottie Scheffler with Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton at 9:58 a.m. local and Rory McIlroy with Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick at 3:15 p.m.
Those pairings sharpen two contrasting storylines: Scheffler arrives after missing the Scottish Open cut—his first missed cut in nearly four years—while McIlroy comes in with a Scottish Open tie for seventh and 10 cuts made in 10 starts this season.
DeChambeau adds extra intrigue to Scheffler’s group after missing the cut in all three 2026 majors, while Fitzpatrick brings home-nation pressure to McIlroy’s trio and is tied for the PGA Tour lead with three wins.
Other featured groups include Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth; Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry and Aaron Rai; and Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Aberg.
Royal Birkdale hosts The Open for the first time since 2017, with favorable early weather expected to give fans an immediate look at many of the tournament favorites.