THE 154th Open Championship is currently being held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside, and is scheduled to run unti:-l 19 July 2026. The opening day of the tournament delivered a masterclass in drama and unpredictability, with the 156-player field beginning their quest for the Claret Jug in the early hours of Thursday morning as the 1st wave of golfers headed out at:- 06:00. American newcomer Jackson Suber stunned the field by clinching the solo lead with a brilliant 65, highlighted by an extraordinary approach shot from the edge of the sand on the par 5 on the 17th that set up a stress free eagle. Dan Brown and Sung-jae Im also surged into a share of second place with rounds of 66, with Brown’s display of unflappable composure and his penchant for smoking throughout the round drawing comparisons to the grit of golfing icons from yesteryear.

Elsewhere, defending champion Scottie Scheffler looked unstoppable early on, charging to the top of the leaderboard with 4 birdies in his opening 6 holes, though he eventually settled for a solid 68 as the afternoon breeze stiffened. Bryson DeChambeau, playing in the same group, fired a 67, marking a powerful return to form after a frustrating run of missed cuts in the season's previous majors. It proved a gritty grind for Rory McIlroy, who battled to a 72, yet he still conjured a touch of magic at the last, sticking an approach tight to the pin for a closing birdie; a moment of flair that echoed Seve Ballesteros’s legendary history at Birkdale.

The day was further punctuated by moments of individual brilliance, such as:- Hideki Matsuyama’s flawless escape from a punishing pot bunker and Collin Morikawa’s masterclass in iron play on the 9th hole which saw him surge to 3 under. Harry Hall provided a feel good highlight with a spectacular chip-in eagle on the 17th, while local hero Tommy Fleetwood enjoyed a wave of fervent support from the Southport crowds as he navigated the challenging links to post a steady 69. After a packed day of intense golfing action, all eyes now turn to the drama set to unfold during the second round on Friday....