One of golf’s four majors; first full week of April.
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.
The Open at Royal Birkdale has issued Bryson DeChambeau a two-stroke penalty for inadvertently improving the area of his backswing by trampling long grass. The decision is described as clear-cut by R&A officials. McIlroy condemns the late-night delay to tee-times as a poor look; Lucas Herbert leads, with Ryan Fox rising. DeChambeau says the ruling fires him up for the weekend.
The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Asian Tour have formalised a multi-year alliance through 2029, with some events co-sanctioned again and pathways for Asian players to reach European and Challenge Tour events. The move follows LIV’s weakened position after Saudi funding shifts, and prompts reactions from players such as Rory McIlroy.
The president has announced a trip to Ireland for Sept. 12-13, where he will attend events with embassy staff and officials, and visit Trump-owned golf properties. AP, New York Post and Independent note the trip underscores how official travel can intersect with family business interests, including LIV Golf ties and potential political signaling.
The PGA Tour has announced a major revision to its postseason format beginning in 2028: the BMW Championship will lead 90 players into a two-week, group-stage followed by a four-day match-play Tour Championship. The top 32 will advance; the final week is a four-day match-play bracket to crown the season-long champion.
During a two-day visit to Ireland this weekend President Donald Trump has said he would "love to see" a united Ireland and called reunification "going to happen eventually." His remarks have prompted rebuttals from UK and unionist politicians, sparked protests in Dublin and renewed debate over the Good Friday Agreement's border-poll provisions.
LIV Golf has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, leaving a path unclear for star players like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith. The PGA Tour states it is not planning a returning-member program this year, while discussions with the DP World Tour over how players may progress to the US circuit continue. The saga signals a shift in leverage as the sport reorganises for a possible 2028 structure.
The DP World Tour has revised its 2027 calendar as the Ryder Cup moves Ireland-ward, prompting date shuffles for key events and a reordering of the European circuit’s calendar. Several tournaments relocate in the lead-up to the 2027 season, with Wentworth and other Rolex Series events affected along with national opens and Open Qualifying Series slots.