The Open Championship Moves into Round 2 at Royal Birkdale
The 154th Open Championship continues on Friday, July 17, with the second round at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. After a dramatic opening day that saw Jackson Suber surge to a surprise lead at 6-under par, the field of 156 golfers is ready for another day of challenging links golf.
Key Facts for Round 2
- Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
- Course: Royal Birkdale (hosting for the 11th time, with modifications to every hole)
- Defending champion: Scottie Scheffler
- First-round leader: Jackson Suber (-6)
- TV coverage: USA Network (4 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET)
- Streaming: Peacock (exclusive coverage from 1:30 a.m. ET, including featured groups)
How to Watch
Fans can catch all the action on Peacock, which will provide exclusive streaming coverage starting at 1:30 a.m. ET. The Golf Channel will broadcast daily highlights, while USA Network will carry the main broadcast window from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. For those without cable, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream are reliable options to access all the channels.
Round 2 Tee Times and Big Names in the Hunt
The second round features marquee groupings that will draw massive attention. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a 2-under 68 in Round 1, tees off at 10:04 a.m. ET alongside Bryson DeChambeau (who shot 67) and Tyrrell Hatton. This trio is expected to be among the most-watched groups of the day.
Other Notable Pairings
- Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood: 10:15 a.m. ET — Spieth won the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale; Fleetwood is a local favorite.
- Collin Morikawa, J.J. Spaun, Nicolai Højgaard: 4:36 a.m. ET — Morikawa opened with 68 and is a past Open champion.
- Rory McIlroy: Struggled to a 2-over 72 in Round 1, ranking 155th in Strokes Gained: Putting, but birdied the 18th to salvage some momentum.
Complete Round 2 Tee Times (Selected Groups)
All times ET:
- 1:35 a.m. - John Parry, Eric Cole, Tiger Christensen
- 2:08 a.m. - Cameron Smith, Keith Mitchell, Stuart Grehan (a)
- 3:25 a.m. - Tom Kim, Billy Horschel, Mason Howell (a)
- 4:14 a.m. - Kristoffer Reitan, Patrick Reed, J.T. Poston
- 4:36 a.m. - Collin Morikawa, J.J. Spaun, Nicolai Højgaard
- 10:04 a.m. - Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton
- 10:15 a.m. - Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood
First-Round Recap
Thursday’s opening round was marked by low scoring and some surprising names near the top. Jackson Suber shot 5-under 65 to claim the solo lead, with Sungjae Im and Dan Brown among those at 4-under. Big names including Scheffler, DeChambeau, and Cameron Young are all within striking distance. Rory McIlroy, however, made a mess of the 17th hole with a double bogey and finished at 2-over 72, leaving him with work to do to make the cut.
What’s at Stake: The Context of the 154th Open
The Open Championship is the final major of the year, and this year’s edition at Royal Birkdale carries extra weight. The course has been significantly modified on every hole, promising a fresh challenge even for veterans. The firm and fast conditions — typical of links golf — have already produced some dramatic swings, as seen in McIlroy’s putting struggles and Suber’s breakout.
The Scheffler-DeChambeau Dynamic
Scottie Scheffler enters as the defending champion and world No. 1, despite a missed cut at the Scottish Open last week. Bryson DeChambeau, meanwhile, has missed the cut in all three previous majors this year (Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open). A strong showing here would be a major redemption arc, especially paired with Scheffler. Tyrrell Hatton rounds out the group, known for his fiery temperament and ability to contend in tough conditions.
Royal Birkdale’s Legacy
Royal Birkdale last hosted the Open in 2017, when Jordan Spieth captured the Claret Jug with a stunning back-nine charge. The course is known for its undulating fairways, deep rough, and challenging greens. This year’s modifications aim to make it even more demanding, with the weather forecast showing warm, dry conditions that could lead to record scores.
Trends and Implications
The early leaderboard at the 2026 Open Championship reflects a broader shift in professional golf: the rise of younger, lesser-known players challenging established stars. Jackson Suber’s first-round lead is a reminder that anyone can make a run at a major. At the same time, the struggles of McIlroy and Xander Schauffele (who double-bogeyed the 18th) show that even the best can falter under the pressure of links golf.
For Scheffler, a second consecutive Open win would cement his legacy as one of the game’s greats, while DeChambeau needs a made cut to salvage his major season. The conditions at Royal Birkdale — firm, fast, and with every hole tweaked — could favor aggressive play or punish it, depending on the wind. As the tournament progresses, the ability to adapt to the course modifications will separate contenders from pretenders.
Broader Golf Trends
- The Open’s global appeal: With 156 players from around the world, including LIV Golf defectors like DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, the event remains a melting pot of talent.
- Youth movement: Players like Tom Kim (20 years old) and Nicolai Højgaard are making waves, challenging the established order.
- Tech in broadcasting: Streaming on Peacock and extensive featured group coverage are changing how fans watch majors, with more personalized viewing options than ever.
As Round 2 unfolds, the storylines are clear: Can Suber maintain his lead? Will Scheffler defend? And can McIlroy recover from his opening-round struggles? The answers will begin to emerge as the groups make their way around the historic Royal Birkdale links.
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