The 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale is shaping up to be a fascinating spectacle, with a unique test for players and a stark contrast in fortunes for recent major champions. The bone-dry links course has proven unforgiving, with many top players missing the cut, including Masters champion Rory McIlroy, PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. This year's Open is a testament to the unpredictable nature of golf, where current form and past success can be quickly forgotten.
McIlroy's resilience on Friday, with a three-under-par 67, showcased his fighting spirit, but he still trails the leaders. Rai, the Englishman who won his first major at Arnold Palmer, struggled with U.S. Open-style golf, managing only two birdies in 36 holes. Clark's performance was equally surprising, with a wild 70 in the first round and a mix of double bogeys, bogeys, and birdies in the second. Despite a late eagle, he missed the cut.
Tom Kim, last week's Scottish Open winner, and World No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick also fell short, with Fitzpatrick's missed cut marking only the second time in 14 major starts. The course's unforgiving nature took a toll on players with emotional ties to the venue. Jordan Spieth, who won at Birkdale in 2017, had a disastrous second round, including a 9 on the 17th hole. Justin Rose, who made his major debut at Birkdale in 1998, couldn't overcome an opening 75, despite a warm welcome.
The cut also eliminated past Open champions Cameron Smith, Henrik Stenson, and Brian Harman, as well as popular PGA Tour players Viktor Hovland, Akshay Bhatia, Jason Day, and Gary Woodland. Reigning U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell also missed the cut. This year's Open highlights the unpredictable nature of golf, where form and tradition can quickly become irrelevant.
The debate over the event's name, whether it's the British Open or the Open Championship, adds an interesting layer to the discussion. The official name, as explained by former R&A chairman Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship, but Golf Digest continues to use both names in its coverage. This reflects the event's global appeal and the continued use of the term 'British Open' by US golf fans.
As the Open continues to grow, it raises questions about the balance between tradition and innovation. The unique challenges of Royal Birkdale test the players' skills and mental fortitude, making it a must-watch spectacle. The 2026 Open is a reminder that golf is a game of contrasts, where the bone-dry links can quickly turn into a battleground for the world's best players.
