This year has been absolutely wild for major championship golf, man. Rory McIlroy grabbing the Masters back in April? Felt like business as usual, right? Top stars owning the majors, pretty much the script. He made it 10 of the last 11 majors won by one of the game's elite. But then Aaron Rai completely blindsided everyone to win the PGA Championship. And Wyndham Clark? He popped off for his second U.S. Open victory, shaking things up even more. Suddenly, this 2026 Open Championship feels wide open, like seriously wide open, at Royal Birkdale.
The "Wide Open" Championship Is For Real This Time
Forget what you thought you knew about major championship golf. Parity is here, and it's making things interesting. Beyond the shock of Rai and Clark's wins, The Open has a history of letting someone sneak in for a life-changing victory. Brian Harman did it, and you gotta remember Todd Hamilton and Ben Curtis going back-to-back right when Tiger Woods was at his peak. That's the kind of magic this tournament can produce. Now, the top stars are trying to get back on track, but honestly, a lot of the sport's elite are out of their best form right now. That just screams opportunity for someone to emerge from the pack. We even saw Tom Kim crush it at the Scottish Open last week, so he's not a "sleeper" anymore with his odds shrinking to 45-1.Sam Burns and Alex Fitzpatrick Could Shock Everyone
So, who's got the goods to pull a Rai or a Clark this week? My eyes are on two names. First up, Sam Burns at 50-1. Are you kidding me with those odds? Burns has been consistently excellent since The Players. He's looking for that return to the winner's circle, no doubt. There was even a question if he'd make it to the field after his daughter's birth, but he made the trek to England. We're talking T7, T26, and a 2nd place finish in majors this season. To see him at 50-1 after taking a few weeks off for family, he's seriously undervalued. Then there's Alex Fitzpatrick at 70-1. Everyone's buzzing about Matt, but Alex's run since getting his PGA Tour card has been fantastic. He won alongside Matt at the Zurich, and since then he’s notched four top 10s and two other top 25s, only missing one cut. Yeah, that missed cut at the Scottish Open last week is a touch concerning, but the guy's playing the best golf of his career. He's got loads of links experience and will have tons of support in Southport. He's proven his Tour spot isn't a fluke. These guys are primed. The Open Championship always delivers, and with the way this year has gone, you know some fireworks are coming. Keep an eye on Burns and Fitzpatrick; they could be making headlines by Sunday.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.