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| Thursday Jul 16, 2026 |
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TALKING POINTS
➡️ The 2026 Open returns to Royal Birkdale for the 11th time (1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2008,
2017, 2026) — the second-most of any other course to host behind St. Andrews.
➡️ An American has won four of the last five Open Championships — Scottie Scheffler (2025), Xander Schauffele (2024), Brian Harman (2023) and Collin Morikawa (2021).
➡️ The field includes:
> 50 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking
> 10 past FedEx Cup champions: Henrik Stenson (2013), Billy Horschel (2014), Jordan Spieth (2015), Rory McIlroy (2016,
2019, 2022), Justin Thomas (2017), Justin Rose (2018), Patrick Cantlay (2021), Viktor Hovland (2023), Scottie Scheffler (2024) and Tommy Fleetwood (2025)
> All eight signature event winners this season are in the field
➡️ The last 12 winners of the Open Championship won the event for the first time, starting with Phil Mickelson in 2013, marking the longest streak of first-time winners at the Open. The previous longest streak was 1994-2004.
➡️ Forty-one players in the field competed at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, including six that finished in the top 10: Jordan Speith (won), Haotong Li (3rd), Rory Mcllroy (T4), Brooks Koepka (T6), Alex Noren (T6), Matthew Southgate (T6)
➡️ Seven players competed at the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale: Padraig Harrington (won), Henrik Stenson (T3), Adam Scott (T16), Alex Noren (T19), David Duval (T39), Justin Rose (T70) and Stewart Cink (MC)
➡️ Five players competed at the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale: Justin Rose (T4), David Duval (T11), Stewart Cink (T66), Darren Clarke (MC) and Padraig Harrington (MC)
POLL OF THE WEEK
Golf's Worst Unwritten Rule
What is the worst unwritten rule of golf etiquette?
>> Vote
Last Week: Who is your pick to win the Open Championship? | Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Where Do Opens Fit?
How should the PGA Tour treat national opens, such as the Canadian Open and Scottish Open, with its proposed two-tier scheduling system?
>> Respond
Last Week: Which is the bigger threat to Scottie Scheffler winning a second successive British Open: the course and Southport weather, his own game or the field? | Read
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From Wyndham Clark to Scottie Scheffler, history says a true heavyweight will lift the Claret Jug on the fast, firm Royal Birkdale links. Here is the "Major 10" to bet on for the 154th British Open.
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RECENT DROPS
🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Extensive course revisions have Royal Birkdale ready for 154th Open
Guest: Chris Thompson, 20-year member of Royal Birkdale Golf Club and Championship Committee member.
Listen | Archive
🎧 DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Inside golf operations' latest tech merger
Guests: Jake Gordon, CEO / co-founder of Noteefy, and Ross Liggett, former CEO of Metolius and current vice president of data for Noteefy.
Listen | Archives
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➡️ British Open is trying to get ahead of fan behavior with a published conduct code
Doug Ferguson / Steve Douglas | Associated Press | Read
➡️ Distance debate at this British Open is how far the golf ball goes on the ground
Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read
➡️ R&A chief delivered sharp reminders to players and peers at the Open. They were welcome and overdue
Eamon Lynch | Golfweek | Read
➡️ The Open keeps growing. But is it coming at the price of tradition?
Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS
▪️ Food & Beverage Director / Executive Chef
Stonebridge Golf & Country Club
Albany, Georgia | Info
▪️ Superintendent
Westview Golf Course | Quincy Park District
Quincy, Illinois | Info
▪️ Product Associate/Product Manager I — Golf / Grounds Equipment
The Toro Company
Bloomington, Minnesota | Info
JULY
27-29: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
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