published: Jul 16, 2026

Who is at the top? Follow the Open Championship leaderboard here…

Matt Chivers

We have a live rolling leaderboard tracking every shot at the 2026 Open Championship

The 2026 Open Championship is upon us. The wait is over.

The best players in the world will tee off at Royal Birkdale in Southport in pursuit of the Claret Jug and glory at the final major of the year.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion, and he is looking to become the first player to successfully defend the famous trophy since Padraig Harrington in 2008.

Scheffler performed superbly to dominate proceedings at Royal Portrush 12 months ago to win his fourth major. Just two months before, he won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow to prove his major credentials for the first time.

Competing with him will be the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, and a host of stars from the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the LIV Golf League.

Having returned last week at the Genesis Scottish Open, McIlroy will be hoping to win The Open in the northwest of England for the second time, having hoisted the Claret Jug at Hoylake in 2014.

Other leading contenders include Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick. Jordan Spieth won The Open last at Birkdale in 2017.

**Jordan Spieth holds the Claret Jug after winning the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2017 | Source: Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty Images**

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McIlroy and Aaron Rai have the Green Jacket and the PGA Championship title between them this year, then Wyndham Clark arrives on Merseyside as the US Open champion from Shinnecock Hills.

You can keep track of every putt dropping and every movement made at the top of the big yellow boards that loom over this famous links right here, courtesy of the R&A.

The Open Championship leaderboard 2026

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Had a glance at the 2026 Open Championship leaderboard? Follow NCG on X!

About the author

Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

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