The 154th Open Championship is here, hitting Royal Birkdale in Southport, England this week, and the stakes could not be higher. This is the oldest golf tournament in the world, returning to Birkdale for the first time in nine years, and the Claret Jug is going to be awarded on site Sunday for the 11th time.
Scheffler's Wobble and McIlroy's Momentum
Scottie Scheffler might be the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year and the world No. 1, but let's be real, his 2026 season has been more about near misses than actual wins. He is rocking that runner-up vibe more than the champion one, and his consistency just isn't what it used to be. On the flip side, Rory McIlroy is absolutely buzzing. After a killer performance at the Scottish Open, he came close to supplanting Scheffler as the favorite, and it would hardly be surprising if he contends from the first round. But the real drama? It is all about England this week. The Open returning to Birkdale feels like destiny for some of the local heroes. Guys like Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, and Justin Rose are all having tremendous seasons, and they are gunning for something huge. An Englishman hasn't lifted the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo back in 1992! That is a 34-year drought! Imagine the pressure, the anticipation. And get this: their national soccer team is playing a World Cup semifinal on Wednesday. They could be in the final, squaring off with The Open over the weekend. Talk about a country holding its breath!Your Ultimate Viewing Guide for the Major Finish
You cannot miss a single moment of this incredible week, and CBSSports.com has wall-to-wall coverage ready. Here is your full viewing guide, all times Eastern, so you are locked in for every shot: Round 1 kicks off Thursday, July 16, at 1:30 a.m. You can live stream it on Peacock from 1:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. TV coverage runs on USA Network from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Round 2 on Friday, July 17, follows the exact same schedule. Peacock streams from 1:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and USA Network has the TV broadcast from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, brings us Round 3, starting at 5 a.m. Peacock streams from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Early TV coverage is on USA Network from 5-7 a.m., then NBC and Fubo take over from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is moving day, so do not blink! Championship Sunday, July 19, features Round 4, starting early at 4 a.m. Peacock has the live stream from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. On TV, USA Network covers 4-7 a.m., with NBC and Fubo bringing the final stretch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the Claret Jug is awarded. Get ready for some seriously intense golf! The Claret Jug is going to be awarded right there on site Sunday at Royal Birkdale for the 11th time. Will one of England's own finally break that 34-year drought? Can Scottie Scheffler turn his runner-up luck around, or will Rory McIlroy play the spoiler and seize the moment? You do not want to miss a single swing or a single putt this weekend. Get ready for some absolutely unforgettable golf!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.