Where Is The 2026 Open Championship?

Royal Birkdale will hold the Open Championship for the 11th time in 2026, with Jordan Spieth winning last time the English links venue hosted in 2017

Royal Birkdale 18th hole and clubhouse
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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The 154th edition of the Open Championship will be held at the English links course Royal Birkdale in 2026.

It has hosted the Major 10 times, with it last having the honor of doing so back in 2017.

Jordan Spieth with the Claret Jug

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There, Jordan Spieth claimed victory, winning by three-strokes at 12-under-par over fellow American, Matt Kuchar.

The Texan's win is famous for when he visited the driving range while playing the 13th hole in a long ruling that eventually saw him take a drop next to the Titleist tour truck.

He bogeyed the 13th before finishing birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie-par.

Jordan Spieth's Open Final Round Notes

That was Spieth's third Major title, however, he hasn't claimed one of the lucrative trophies since.

He joins a host of American icons who have won the Open around Royal Birkdale, with Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller and Tom Watson all becoming Champion Golfer of the Year there.

Watson won the last of his five Opens around the Southport course in 1983. He is tied-second for the Major's most ever wins.

The par-5 15th hole at Royal Birkdale pictured

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This was his only victory in England, with his other four coming in Scotland, and he won by one-stroke at nine-under-par to win the Claret Jug and $53,000.

The only European to win the Open around Royal Birkdale is Padraig Harrington. This was the latter of his back-to-wins, where he succeeded with the course's highest winning score of three-over-par.

Padraig Harrington holding the Claret Jug after his 2008 Open Championship success around Royal Birkdale

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Royal Birkdale is a classic links course, and is regarded as the best in England, ranking sixth in our UK&I Top 100 courses.

Avoiding the thick rough is incredibly important, although finding the tight fairways can also be tricky.

The first-hole is a prime example of this, widely regarded as one of the toughest opening holes for a Major Championship.

ROYAL BIRKDALE PREVIOUS OPEN WINNERS

  • 1954: Peter Thompson (-9)
  • 1961: Arnold Palmer (-4)
  • 1965: Peter Thompson (-7)
  • 1971: Lee Tervino (-14)
  • 1976: Johnny Miller (-9)
  • 1983: Tom Watson (-9)
  • 1991: Ian Baker-Finch (-8)
  • 1998: Mark O'Meara (E)
  • 2008: Padraig Harrington (+3)
  • 2017: Jordan Spieth (-12)
Euan Tickner
Euan Tickner
News Writer

Euan has just finished a BA Sports Journalism degree at the University of Brighton and is currently working with the news team at Golf Monthly. He would love a career in Golf and is looking to expand his journalistic skills while learning from some of the best golf writers in the industry.

His time at university has granted him access to top sporting venues, such as reporting on an England women's football match held at the AMEX stadium and multiple reporting opportunities at racecourses such as Goodwood and Kempton Park.

A keen golfer throughout his childhood, Euan currently plays off a handicap of 13.6 and is a member of the Dyke Golf Club near Brighton, UK. His fondest golfing memory to date would be playing the stunning Faldo and O’Connor Jnr. Courses at Amendoeira Golf Resort.

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