The 154th
Open Championship
Ryan Fox of New Zealand wins the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale. A 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole sealed a one-shot victory over Cameron Young.
Ryan Fox, New Zealand. 10-under par. Champion Golfer of the Year 2026.
The 154th Open Championship: Final Result
Ryan Fox wins the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Fox of New Zealand sank a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole on Sunday 19 July to win The 154th Open Championship by one stroke. He finished 10-under par, edging Cameron Young who had posted a superb 64 earlier in the day and waited on the practice range.
Fox, 39, had never finished in the top 10 at a major before this week. He came from T52 after Friday to lift the Claret Jug. It is the largest 36-hole comeback by position in men's major history. Tommy Fleetwood, the home crowd favourite, finished tied fourth and received a tremendous reception from the Southport galleries.
Final leaderboard: Fox -10, Cameron Young -9, Sam Burns -8, Scottie Scheffler -7, Tommy Fleetwood -7.
Full report at theopen.comFinal Leaderboard
Ryan Fox
New Zealand
Cameron Young
USA
Sam Burns
USA
Scottie Scheffler
USA
Tommy Fleetwood
England
About the Course
Royal Birkdale: One of the World's Great Links Courses
Royal Birkdale Golf Club sits in the sand dunes of Southport, Merseyside, less than two miles from the town centre. Founded in 1889 and awarded its Royal charter in 1951, it is consistently ranked among the finest links courses on the planet, and has hosted The Open Championship more times than almost any other venue.
What makes Birkdale distinctive is its layout. Unlike many links courses, the fairways run through the valleys between the dunes rather than over the tops of them. The result is a course where the wind matters enormously, natural hollows shape every shot, and the rough (thick, punishing willow scrub) demands precision from the first tee to the 72nd hole.
In 2026, 250,000 spectators are expected across the week. The world's best players will be here. And for those of us who live nearby, it is genuinely extraordinary to have this on our doorstep.
If you're planning to play Royal Birkdale before or after Open week, SeftonLinks has the full course guide . Green fees, visitor policy, handicap requirements, and what to expect on the day.
10th
Time hosting The Open
1889
Year founded
250,000+
Spectators expected
18
Championship holes
6,992
Yards (par 70)
2 miles
From Southport centre
Key Dates: July 2026
Mon 13 Jul
Practice Day 1
Open to spectators. Best day to walk the course and get close to players.
Tue 14 Jul
Practice Day 2
Celebrity Pro-Am in the afternoon. Relaxed atmosphere, shorter queues.
Wed 15 Jul
Practice Day 3
Final practice. Players finalise game plans. Worth attending for access.
Thu 16 Jul
Round 1
Championship begins. Get in early. The crowd builds fast after midday.
Fri 17 Jul
Round 2
Cut day. Drama on every hole. Afternoon is peak atmosphere.
Sat 18 Jul
Round 3: Moving Day
The leaderboard reshapes. One of the best days in all of sport.
Sun 19 Jul
Final Round
Champion crowned. Arrive early and don't plan anything for the evening.
Terry's tip: If you can only go once and budget allows, go Saturday. Round 3 (Moving Day) is when the Open truly comes alive. The leaderboard reshapes, pressure builds, and you get atmosphere that doesn't exist anywhere else in sport. If championship tickets are gone, a practice round (Monday–Wednesday) is genuinely excellent value. You can walk the entire course, watch players up close, and experience Royal Birkdale without the championship-day scrum.
Transport
Getting There: Park & Ride and Public Transport
Do not drive to Royal Birkdale on championship days. Road closures cover the streets around the club and residential parking near the course is enforcement-controlled. The R&A operates designated park and ride sites around Southport. These are the sensible option if you're travelling by car.
Park & Ride
Official park and ride buses run from designated sites across Southport to the course on all championship days. Specific sites are confirmed by The R&A closer to the event at theopen.com. Book in advance. Spaces sell out.
Train
Hillside station (Merseyrail Southport line) is the closest station to Royal Birkdale, approximately 5 minutes walk from the course entrance on Waterloo Road. It is the second stop from Southport (Southport → Birkdale → Hillside). Trains run from Liverpool Central and Southport. Do not get off at Birkdale station: it is one stop too early and leaves you an extra 10-15 minutes walk.
Taxi
From Southport town centre to the course is about £8–12. During championship days taxis are busy. Book ahead or allow extra time. Uber operates in Southport.
Terry's tip: The train is genuinely the easiest option. Get off at Hillside station, not Birkdale. Hillside puts you 5 minutes from the gate. Birkdale is one stop too early and costs you 15 minutes of walking in the heat. Merseyrail runs frequently and if you're driving from outside Southport, use the park and ride. The R&A publishes confirmed sites and booking at theopen.com.
Know Before You Go
Spectator Guide
✅ What to Bring
- →Waterproofs: It is Lancashire in July. It will rain. Bring a proper jacket, not an umbrella (large ones are restricted).
- →Comfortable walking shoes: You will walk several miles. Wellies if wet, trainers if dry. Nothing that will blister.
- →Binoculars: The course is large. Binoculars transform your experience, particularly on the par-5 holes.
- →Cash: Some hospitality areas and outside vendors are cash-only.
- →Small soft bag: Clear or soft-sided bags are permitted. Hard-sided cases are not.
- →Sunscreen: July can be warm. Southport is more exposed than you expect.
- →Snacks: Food on site is expensive. A sealed water bottle and some food is allowed.
❌ What's Not Allowed
- ✕Selfie sticks or tripods of any kind
- ✕Drones or remote-controlled devices
- ✕Large or golf umbrellas (small clear ones may be permitted)
- ✕Glass containers of any kind
- ✕Commercial signage, flags, or banners
- ✕Buggies, scooters, or wheeled vehicles (without accessibility exemption)
- ✕Pets (assistance dogs only)
Always verify the current restricted items list at theopen.com before attending, rules can change between championships.
🎟️ Tickets
| Day type | Approx. price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Practice rounds (Mon–Wed) | £30–50 | More available |
| Round 1–2 (Thu–Fri) | £60–100 | Limited |
| Round 3–4 (Sat–Sun) | £80–120+ | Selling fast |
🚆 Getting There
- →Don't drive to the course Road closures and no public parking near the club. This is non-negotiable.
- →Merseyrail to Hillside Trains from Liverpool Central via Southport line. Alight at Hillside station (NOT Birkdale). Hillside is approx 5 min walk from the course entrance.
- →Park & Ride Operating from multiple Southport sites. Shuttle buses run directly to the course entrance.
- →Taxi from town Southport town centre to Royal Birkdale: approximately 10 minutes, £8–12.
Past Champions at Royal Birkdale
| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 2008 | Padraig Harrington | 🇮🇪 Ireland |
| 1998 | Mark O'Meara | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1991 | Ian Baker-Finch | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| 1983 | Tom Watson | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1976 | Johnny Miller | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1971 | Lee Trevino | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1965 | Peter Thomson | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| 1961 | Arnold Palmer | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1954 | Peter Thomson | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| 2026 | Ryan Fox | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Royal Birkdale has now hosted eleven Open Championships since 1954. Arnold Palmer's raw power in 1961, Lee Trevino's brilliance in 1971, Tom Watson's artistry in 1983, Jordan Spieth's wire-to-wire win in 2017. And now Ryan Fox's birdie on the 72nd hole. Southport witnessed another chapter of major championship history.
Planning a Sefton Coast Visit
The Open is over. Southport is still here.
The week is done. But if The Open brought you to Southport for the first time, the town is worth coming back to. Royal Birkdale takes visitor tee times outside championship setup weeks. Hillside, right next door, is one of England's finest links courses and significantly easier to book.
Summer availability in Southport and Formby is much better outside Open week. Sykes Cottages has self-catering options near Southport and Formby from a weekend break to a full week on the Sefton Coast.
Common Questions
Everything You Need to Know About The Open 2026
How do I get to Royal Birkdale for The Open 2026?
Do not drive to the course. Road closures around Birkdale make it impractical and parking near the club is reserved for accredited officials only. The best option is Merseyrail from Southport or Liverpool to Hillside station, which is approximately 5 minutes walk from the Royal Birkdale entrance on Waterloo Road. Hillside is the second stop from Southport. Park and ride buses also operate from designated sites across Southport. Full transport details are published by The R&A at theopen.com.
Where should I stay for The Open Championship 2026?
Accommodation in and around Southport is almost fully booked for Open week. If you haven't booked yet, check Birkdale village first (walking distance to the course), then Southport town centre (shuttle bus access). Formby and Ormskirk are viable fallback options, 20–30 minutes away. See our full accommodation guide.
Can I buy tickets for The Open 2026 on the gate?
No. The Open Championship is a ticketed event. You cannot purchase on the gate on championship round days (Thursday–Sunday). Practice round tickets (Monday–Wednesday) are sold in advance through theopen.com and are more widely available. Championship round tickets frequently sell out months in advance. Buy as early as possible.
What is the difference between practice round and championship round tickets?
Practice round tickets (Mon–Wed, 13–15 July) are significantly cheaper, typically £30–50 per day, and offer excellent player access. You can walk close to the fairways and watch players up close without the championship-day crowds. Championship tickets (Thu–Sun) are more expensive, starting from around £60–100 per day, but deliver the full competitive atmosphere.
What can I bring to The Open Championship?
Binoculars, waterproofs (essential, it is Lancashire in July), comfortable walking shoes, a small soft-sided bag or backpack, sunscreen, and cash. Banned items include selfie sticks, tripods, large umbrellas (small clear ones are permitted), drones, commercial signage, and glass containers. Check the full restricted items list at theopen.com.
How far is Royal Birkdale from Southport town centre?
Approximately 2 miles, or a 5–10 minute drive/taxi. Birkdale village, which sits right next to the club, is about 1.5 miles from the Lord Street shopping area. Birkdale train station is a 10–15 minute walk from the course entrance.
What is the best day to attend The Open if I can only go once?
Saturday (Round 3, Moving Day) is widely regarded as the best single day at any Open. The leaderboard changes shape, the pressure builds, and the atmosphere is electric. If Saturday is sold out, Friday afternoon offers similar drama as players fight to make the cut.
Will restaurants and pubs in Southport be busy during Open week?
Yes. Extremely busy. Book restaurants in advance, particularly in Birkdale village and along Lord Street. Evening bookings from Thursday onwards are the hardest to secure. See our restaurants guide for the best options, and book now.
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Property Data
Living Near Royal Birkdale: PR8 4 House Prices
Birkdale (PR8 4) is Southport's highest-priced postcode sector, and Royal Birkdale Golf Club is part of the reason why. If you're thinking of buying in the area, the full picture (sold prices, schools, crime, flood risk, broadband) is on our postcode guide.
Hidden Disabilities
Visiting The Open with a hidden disability?
The R&A recognises the Sunflower lanyard. There is a dedicated sensory zone at Spectator Village 4. Our full accessibility guide covers disabled parking, carer tickets, accessible transport, and practical tips for a low-sensory visit.
Open 2026 accessibility guideFor Businesses
Feature Your Business on SouthportGuide
The Open is over but the Sefton Coast remains open for business year-round. Feature your restaurant, hotel, or attraction on SouthportGuide and reach visitors planning a return trip.