From A Penalized Bryson DeChambeau To A Pro Who Wasn't In The Field On Monday... These Notable Names Made The Cut At The Open In 2026

Nothing at The Open is ever given and this year's championship has been no different as several big names missed the cut at Royal Birkdale.

A record-equalling round from Lucas Herbert has afforded the Australian a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage, but there are plenty of household names within striking distance such as Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood.

Ultimately, the gap between the cut mark and Herbert is only nine strokes, so with conditions as tough as these and more wind to come, no one will feel out of the running.

And as the old saying goes, you've got to be in it to win it. Here's a look and some notable names who still stand a chance of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year with 36 holes to play.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU (-5)

Bryson DeChambeau had missed all three cuts at the Majors so far in 2026. But that run wouldn't become four after a sensational first two days at Royal Birkdale.

The American highlighted great strategy as his guiding light on Thursday - possibly a subtle dig at Nick Faldo - before cutting loose on Friday and pouring in a birdie on 18 to initially pull within one of Herbert.

While it seemed as though rounds of 67 and 66 had put the two-time Major winner in a great position to build on last year's T10th at Royal Portrush and maybe even lift the Claret Jug, it was later confirmed that DeChambeau had been given a two-stroke penalty early on in his second round and he'd actually shot a two-under 68.

SAM BURNS (-5)

Possibly the round of Friday actually belonged to Sam Burns. The American matched the all-time joint-record for lowest round at a Major (62), but he did so after a frustrating opening day where he was three-over.

Burns' eight-under second round was not only remarkable in of itself, but he hadn't played any golf since the US Open due to the impending birth of his second child.

But after baby Belle was born a fortnight early, Burns hot-footed over the Atlantic and has given himself a shot at winning a first Major in remarkable circumstances.

CAMERON JOHN (-3)

Cameron John has been playing on the PGA Tour of Australasia for much of his pro journey and has endured or enjoyed a strange 2026 so far. He's claimed two wins but also missed his three most recent cuts.

Nevertheless, John turned his form around at the perfect time to sit inside the top-20 at the halfway stage. Oh, and did I mention, it's his Major championship debut?

DAN BROWN (-3)

Speaking of missed cuts, Dan Brown has missed 10 of them this year already, including five of his past seven starts. The charismatic Englishman has been battling away on the PGA Tour this year after earning dual status via the DP World Tour, but without much success.

With a best individual result of T19th (Sony Open - January) in his back pocket heading into The Open, Brown defied his underwhelming run of form to temporarily lead the final men's Major of the year during Thursday.

A one-over second round featured a mini comeback of its own and the man who finished T10th back in 2024 has a chance to better that in 2026.

MATTHEW SOUTHGATE (-2)

Continuing the theme regarding missed cuts, Matthew Southgate has failed to play the weekend in eight of 12 starts in 2026. But he's also won on the HotelPlanner Tour, which arrived at the Swiss Challenge at the start of June.

Nevertheless, the fact the Open qualifier is still involved and inside the top-25 at this stage is something to be applauded.

Although perhaps it shouldn't be too much of a surprise given his only Major top-10 in eight starts otherwise was a T7th at Royal Birkdale the last time The Open was played here.

ALDRICH POTGIETER (+1)

Aldrich Potgieter wasn't even in the field on Monday. And after the Last-Chance Qualifier didn't go his way, he still wasn't in the field for The 154th Open.

But then Louis Oosthuizen withdrew due to a back injury and his fellow countryman - who was down as the first alternate - was given a last-gasp chance to play.

Potgieter took it with both hands and made the weekend by a single stroke despite a two-over round on Friday.

NAOYUKI KATAOKA (+1)

A pro on the Japan Golf Tour, Naoyuki Kataoka has already had one crack at a Major this year - The Masters. However, he failed to make the weekend at Augusta National.

However, the man who won the 2025 Japan Open responded with aplomb to post three-under on Thursday at Royal Birkdale. And then a one-over second round was good enough to see him through to the weekend at a Major for the first time.

MARCUS PLUNKETT (+1)

The 32-year-old American was another to be making his Major championship debut at Royal Birkdale after coming through Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links recently.

Plunkett has been in good form this year with two top-10s and a hat-trick of top-25s on the Asian Tour, but arguably his best result arrived in England this week.

Plunkett carved out a level par round on Thursday before squeezing through on the number via a 71 on Friday.

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER (+1)

With 13 holes played of round two, Ballester was one shot outside of the projected cut line. Consecutive bogeys later and he was staring firmly down the barrel of an early exit from The Open.

However, an eagle at the par-5 17th and a kick-in birdie on the final hole presented the LIV talent with the chance for redemption - one he took as he made his first cut at the fourth attempt in a Major.

JACK MCDONALD (+1)

Jack McDonald is a 33-year-old Scottish pro who has only made two official starts on the HotelPlanner Tour and one on the Tartan Pro Tour in 2026.

Yet, following a hole-out eagle from 114 yards at the par-4 10th, McDonald made his first cut at a Major.

The Scot made another birdie two holes later before a bogey ensured he would have to grind hard down the stretch. McDonald made it happen with a par at the last and will enjoy a full weekend of action at Royal Birkdale.