SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — The oldest championship in golf is now the last major of the year.
The British Open dates to 1860 and has returned this year to Royal Birkdale, and it’s already different from anything the world’s best players have seen this year. The links course along the Lancashire coast of England is yellow and brown, the sure sign of a fast and firm test.
Scottie Scheffler is trying to become the first repeat winner of the British Open since Padraig Harrington won in 2007 and 2008 — the second one also was at Royal Birkdale. He also can become only the third player in the last 20 years to go three straight years winning a major. But it’s looking bleak for the world’s No. 1 player who is six behind.
Even though Royal Birkdale did not join the British Open rotation until 1954, this is the 11th time it has hosted golf’s oldest major. And its roll call of champions rivals any other links course. All but one champion at Birkdale is either in the World Golf Hall of Fame or will be.
Here’s what to know about the 154th edition of the British Open:
Who is leading the British Open?
Sam Burns gets another shot at his first major. After a late decision to come to the British Open and struggling to a 73, he has followed with rounds of 62-65 and leads by two shots over Ryan Fox (62) and Si Woo Kim (67). Burns was the runner-up at the U.S. Open last month at Shinnecock Hills and was the 54-hole leader in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.
How can I watch the British Open?
This will be the 10th year for NBC Sports to be the lead broadcast network in the United States, and it has been wall-to-wall coverage. USA Network will start Sunday coverage from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. EDT, with NBC picking it up from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What about Bryson DeChambeau?
The two-time U.S. Open champion certainly draws attention wherever he goes and whatever he does. This British Open has been no different.
DeChambeau theatrically protested a two-shot penalty against him after Friday’s round when he was deemed to have improved the path of his swing. All that did was get the Royal Birkdale crowd behind him. The two-time U.S. Open champion played to the crowd Saturday on his way to a 69 and was among those four shots behind.
How is Scottie Scheffler faring as the defending champion?
Scheffler has made only one bogey over his last 37 holes. That’s the good news. But he has made only three birdies the last two rounds. It adds to rounds of 68-68-70 that leaves him six shots behind going into the final day. Not since Padraig Harrington in 2007-08 has there been a repeat winner in the British Open, and it doesn’t look like Scheffler will be changing that.
Who are the betting favorites?
Sam Burns is listed as clear favorite by BetMGM Sportsbook at +137.50. He is followed by Si Woo Kim (+450) and then Ryan Fox (+750). Even though Bryson DeChambeau is the only player from the top 10 on the leaderboard to have won a major, he is at +1400 along with Ludvig Aberg and Ryan Gerard. And then Tommy Fleetwood and Lucas Herbert are +1600.
Scottie Scheffler, the betting favorite after every round, is now +2500.
How are the local hopes getting on?
Tommy Fleetwood is the favorite son of Southport but his hopes have faded after making bogey on two of his last four holes in a round of 69. That left him at 5-under 205, five shots behind Sam Burns. Fleetwood is tied for ninth and one of just two Englishmen in the top 28, along with Dan Brown at 4 under. There were 21 English players in the field.
What’s with all the low scores?
Royal Birkdale is now the links course that has given up four of the eight 62s in major championship history. Branden Grace was the first to set the major record at 62 in the 2017 British Open. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot 62 just 22 minutes apart on Friday. Ryan Fox joined them with a 62 on Saturday.
What they all have in common is early tee times, before the wind can pick up any real strength.
What’s at stake?
The winner is introduced as the “Champion Golfer of the Year” and receives the silver claret jug, the oldest trophy in golf. Scottie Scheffler had to officially return the claret jug to the R&A on Tuesday. The winner is exempt to the British Open through his 55th birthday, and he is exempt into the other three majors for the next five years.
What’s the forecast?
The sunny conditions that have baked Royal Birkdale are set to continue, with the leading groups going out in sunshine that should last until the end of their rounds. Temperatures should reach a high of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
What kind of history does Royal Birkdale have?
If history is any indication, it might be worth keeping eyes on someone like Bryson DeChambeau, or even Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm or Scottie Scheffler. Royal Birkdale is hosting the British Open for the 11th time, and all but one of its champions are either in the World Golf Hall of Fame or probably will be there when they are eligible.
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