Oldest major, prestige and royal links
Rory McIlroy has posted a two-over-par 72 in round one at Royal Birkdale, with six bogeys and four birdies. He acknowledges a rough finish to day one and says he is focused on bouncing back as conditions vary and pressure builds on the early leaders.
Tee times for rounds one and two at the Open Championship in Southport have been published. Top players including McIlroy, Scheffler, Fleetwood and Rahm are in strong groups. The event starts on Thursday with a full schedule of early and late starts.
The PGA Tour has unveiled a two-track, merit-based system with a Championship Series and a Challenger Series. The plan, announced ahead of the Travelers Championship, introduces promotion and relegation, a match-play format for the Tour Championship, and multi-million dollar purses across both tracks. Official rollout is set for the 2028 season.
The Open at Royal Birkdale is underway. Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele headline the first draws, with Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau among the marquee groups. Jack McDonald and Tommy Fleetwood feature among home players teeing off early, while defending champion Scheffler faces a late morning start.
Dean has qualified for golf's Open Championship after winning the Last Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale, finishing one stroke ahead of Andrew Wilson. He is the first to secure a place in the 154th Open, with Aldrich Potgieter and Matti Schmid as top alternates. Dean, who once delivered groceries, will compete in his third Open amid strong spectator support.