A wild, almost unbelievable record has taken hold at the British Open: a first-time winner of the Claret Jug has hoisted it in a mind-bending 12 straight Opens. Think about that, twelve years running, no one has managed to repeat. This isn't just some casual streak, either. It’s the second-longest run of first-time major winners ever, trailing only a crazy 19-straight PGA Championship rookies between 1952 and 1970.
The Streak That's Got Everyone Talking (Or Should Be)
Seriously, a dozen straight years without a repeat champ? The last guy to own a Claret Jug before winning it again was South Africa's Ernie Els way back in 2012. You have 15 former champions in the field this year, including guys like Darren Clarke, Brian Harman, and even David Duval, who's still swinging at 54 years old. The betting lines are absolutely wild because of this streak. If you think we're getting a first-time major champion on Sunday, that's sitting at -115, with "No" at -108. But for a first-time *British Open* winner, that line jumps to -280. The "No" for a first-timer is at a very tempting +210. Honestly, you gotta play that "No" at that price. It's time someone breaks this insane run.Bryson's Bogey Blues and Rory's Race for Glory
While everyone's buzzing about the streak, there are some serious storylines unfolding with individual players. Bryson DeChambeau, who's got two major titles from the U.S. Open, is having a truly brutal year. He's missed the cut at all three majors in 2026 for the first time in his career, and the odds of him making the cut here are a tough -240. This dude had three major top 10s in each of the last two seasons, so what happened? If he misses this cut, he'd be only the fourth golfer this century to miss all four major cuts within two years of winning one, joining a list no one wants to be on. It seems like links-style golf just isn't his jam, with zero top-five finishes at the Open Championship. Then you have Rory McIlroy, who's looking to do something historic himself. He's at +840 and a win here would instantly put him in the conversation for PGA Tour Player of the Year. Plus, at 37, if he pulls it off, he would be the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2005 to win both the Masters and the British Open in the same year. That would be absolutely electric! Royal Birkdale in northwest England is set to explode with drama this week. With the first round kicking off early Thursday morning Eastern time, you know we're in for some must-watch golf. Will the streak continue for a record 13th year, or will one of the 15 former champs finally break through and take back what's theirs? Get ready, because Sunday is going to be epic.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.