British Open power rankings 2026: The entire field at Royal Birkdale, ranked

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The 154th Open Championship will be visiting Southport and Royal Birkdale for the 11th time in the past 72 years. Four men in the 156-man field have competed in the past three championships held on this heralded links (1998, 2008, 2017): Stewart Cink, David Duval, Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose. Some may have guessed Darren Clarke. Clarke missed the 2008 Open Championship, but he is the only player in the field who competed at Royal Birkdale in 1991!

Rose is a key name in Birkdale history. Holing out on the 72nd hole, Justin was just 18 years old and finished fourth while Mark O’Meara became the “Champion Golfer of the Year.” Many would have guessed Rose would have grabbed multiple claret jugs by now in his career after that inspiring start. A true testament to Rose’s resolve, 23 years after that debut, Justin finished runner-up in 2024 and continues to be very competitive for the claret jug.

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Much will be made of the changes to the golf course, and I highly recommend you watch the video tour Golf Digest recently published. A few holes have been redesigned. One hole has been eliminated, and a brand-new one was created! Quite significant changes when many critics consider Royal Birkdale as England’s finest links layout.

The final set of full-field power rankings for 2026 is below. We’ve taken the course changes, weather, recent form and major championship mettle into account. The pressure to capture the claret jug is real. No other major challenges the elements like The Open. Though you might never become the Champion Golfer of the Year, you can sure head to your local Ladbrokes and pick him!

Key:

  • Age: We have another 18-year-old in the field. Ukrainian amateur Lev Grinberg qualified for his first DP World Tour start at 14!
  • Odds to win: These are the “futures odds” listed for each player at DraftKings before Monday of tournament week.
  • Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) value: The posted price for each competitor on DraftKings.
  • Data Golf (OWGR): How do the “official” rankings compare to the Power Rankings?
  • Major Events this Year: Each player’s finish in the biggest events of the season YTD.
  • The Open 2025: How did we fare last year at Royal Portrush?
  • The Open appearances/cuts made: It takes a combination of performance and luck to earn a weekend tee time at The Open. Will the weather punish one of the tee time waves, success year after year is an important skill inn this championship.
  • Best Open finish: From David Duval (2001) to Scottie Scheffler (2025) we have 15 past champions in the field. Will one of them earn a second title like Padraig Harrinton did in 2008 at Royal Birkdale?
  • The Opens at Royal Birkdale: Who was here when Jordan Spieth won in 2017? How did they fare against this dramatic dune landscape.
  • Notes: A quick summary for each player to pique or deter your interest in their chances to win or contend in the 154th Open Championship.

Nos. 126 and beyond 2236762965

[Photo: Mike Ehrmann]

We do not have all 156 golfers. For the first time in Open Championship history, there will be a Last-Chance Qualifier on Monday, July 13. It is the Monday of the Open Championship, and it will take place at our host venue, Royal Birkdale! A select group of golfers has been invited to fill the final spot. Where will they end up in the rankings? That will be for you to decide.

Matthew Baldwin, Tiger Christensen, Darren Clarke, David Duval, Lev Grinberg (amateur, above), Jeongwoo Ham, Kazuki, Higa, Michael Hollick, David Howard (a), Cameron John, Naoyuki Kataoka, Kota Kaneko, Joakim Lagergren, Francesco Laporta, Jack McDonald, Francesco Molinari, Ryutaro Nagano, Shaun Norris, Marcus Plunkett, Mateo Pulcini (a), Nevill Ruiter (a), Taihei Sato, Baard Skogen, Tom Sloman, Travis Smyth, Matthew Southgate, Henrik Stenson, Austen Truslow, Jiho Yang, Ren Yonezawa

Sam Hodde

Haotong Li (above) is a name you are going to hear often in the pre-tournament coverage. Why? Li finished fourth in the Open Championship last year at Royal Portrush. Haotong’s only other top five in his career at a major championship? The 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale where Li finished third! Before you go believing in Haotong’s history, keep in mind he has missed 11 of his last 15 cuts on the PGA Tour.

101. Grehan Stuart (a), 102. Fifa Laopakdee (a), 103. Lucas Herbert, 104. Caleb Surratt, 105. Rasmus Neergaard Petersen, 106. Hennie du Plessis, 107. Sami Valimaki, 108. Jesper Svensson, 109. Antoine Rozner, 110. Jayden Schaper, 111. Jose Luis Ballester Barrio, 112. Haotong Li, 113. Eric Cole, 114. Louis Oosthuizen, 115. Mason Howell (a), 116. Dan Bradbury, 117. Daniel Brown, 118. Martin Couvra, 119. Alejandro De Castro Piera (a), 120. Alistair Docherty, 121. Sam Bairstow, 122. Jack Buchanan (a), 123. MJ Daffue, 124. Kazuma Kobori, 125. Frederic Lacroix

Nos. 71-100 2284624598

Dylan Buell

Keep an eye on Stewart Cink (above). The 2009 Champion Golfer of the Year has been burning up the leaderboards on the PGA Tour Champions. In 11 senior starts, Cink has captured four wins, two of which were majors, and has not finished outside the top six in any other event. Fresh off a runner-up finish in the U.S. Senior Open two weeks ago, Cink can challenge the young guns with his links experience and incredible form.

71. Scott Vincent, 72. Ryan Fox, 73. Victor Perez, 74. Marco Penge, 75. Tom McKibbin, 76. Jackson Suber, 77. Sungjae Im, 78. Pierceson Coody, 79. Stewart Cink, 80. Keita Nakajima, 81. Max Greyserman, 82. Johnny Keefer, 83. Andrew Novak, 84. Nico Echavarria, 85. Sepp Straka, 86. Alex Smalley, 87. Tim Wiedemeyer (a), 88. Harry Hall, 89. Casey Jarvis, 90. Daniel Hillier, 91. Thomas Detry, 92. Matt McCarty, 93. Cameron Smith, 94. Laurie Canter, 95. Michael Thorbjornsen, 96. Matthew Jordan, 97. Adrien Saddier, 98. Peter Uihlein, 99. Jake Knapp, 100. Jason Day

Ranking the top 70 (low 70 and ties make the cut) 70: Padraig Harrington

Age: 54Odds to win: +50000DFS Value: $5,500Data Golf (OWGR): 356 (N/A)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 28/17Best Open finish: Won (2007, 2008)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 1998 (MC), 2008 (Won), 2017 (MC)

69: James Nicholas

Age: 29Odds to win: +50000DFS Value: $5,200Data Golf (OWGR): 346 (284)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: DNP
  • U.S. Open: T-65

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

68: Ryo Hisatsune

Age: 23Odds to win: +20000DFS Value: $6,100Data Golf (OWGR): 70 (60)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-35
  • U.S. Open: T-43

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 1/0Best Open finish: MC (2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

67: Michael Kim

Age: 32Odds to win: +25000DFS Value: $5,800Data Golf (OWGR): 71 (51)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: T-44
  • U.S. Open: T-43

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 3/1Best Open finish: T-35 (2018)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

66: Max Homa

Age: 35Odds to win: +12500DFS Value: $6,400Data Golf (OWGR): 63 (73)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: T-9
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: DNPOpen appearances/cuts made: 4/3Best Open finish: T-10 (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

65: Andy Sullivan

Age: 39Odds to win: +70000DFS Value: $5,500Data Golf (OWGR): 240 (127)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 6/4Best Open finish: T-12 (2016)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-70)

Age: 34Odds to win: +15500DFS Value: $6,100Data Golf (OWGR): 40 (68)2026:

  • The Players: T-46
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T65
  • U.S. Open: T-4

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 3/0Best Open finish: MCThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

63: Rasmus Højgaard 2277467840

Stacy Revere

Age: 25Odds to win: +23000DFS Value: $6,300Data Golf (OWGR): 118 (86)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: 53
  • PGA Championship: T-65
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: T-16The Open appearances/cuts made: 3/2Best Open finish: T-16 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

62: Daniel Berger

Age: 33Odds to win: +24000DFS Value: $6,200Data Golf (OWGR): 79 (49)2026:

  • The Players: T-66
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: T-35
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-30The Open appearances/cuts made: 5/3Best Open finish: T-8 (2021)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-27)

61: Bernd Wiesberger

Age: 40Odds to win: +33000DFS Value: $5,800Data Golf (OWGR): 124 (154)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 8/5Best Open finish: T-32 (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-74)

60: Matt Wallace

Age: 36Odds to win: +19500DFS Value: $6,300Data Golf (OWGR): 59 (69)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-44
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: T-45The Open appearances/cuts made: 6/4Best Open finish: T-40 (2021)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

59: Jordan Smith

Age: 33Odds to win: +19500DFS Value: $6,100Data Golf (OWGR): 98 (82)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: T-45The Open appearances/cuts made: 5/3Best Open finish: T-41 (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

58: Eugenio Chacarra 2283705467

Stuart Franklin

Age: 26Odds to win: +13500DFS Value: $6,700Data Golf (OWGR): 47 (59)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: DNP
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

57: Bud Cauley

Age: 36Odds to win: +21000DFS Value: $6,00Data Golf (OWGR): 34 (38)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-26
  • U.S. Open: T-56

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 2/1Best Open finish: T-32 (2013)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

RELATED: The 15 best British Open Championships, ranked

56: Rickie Fowler

Age: 37Odds to win: +12000DFS Value: $6,500Data Golf (OWGR): 45 (41)2026:

  • The Players: T-42
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-60
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-14The Open appearances/cuts made: 14/13Best Open finish: T-2 (2014)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: T-22

55: Sahith Theegala

Age: 28Odds to win: +20000DFS Value: $6,200Data Golf (OWGR): 58 (76)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-60
  • U.S. Open: T-11

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 4/1Best Open finish: T-34 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

54: Nick Taylor

Age: 38Odds to win: +24000DFS Value: $5,900Data Golf (OWGR): 49 (70)2026:

  • The Players: T-42
  • The Masters: T-41
  • PGA Championship: T-26
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 3/0Best Open finish: MCThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

53: Keegan Bradley

Age: 40Odds to win: +19500DFS Value: $6,500Data Golf (OWGR): 32 (40)2026:

  • The Players: T-50
  • The Masters: T-21
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-32

The Open 2025: T-30The Open appearances/cuts made: 12/6Best Open finish: T-15 (2013)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

52: Nicolai Højgaard

Age: 25Odds to win: +8800DFS Value: $6,600Data Golf (OWGR): 41 (34)2026:

  • The Players: T-27
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: T-44
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-14The Open appearances/cuts made: 5/4Best Open finish: T-14 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

51: JT Poston

Age: 33Odds to win: +17500DFS Value: $6,100Data Golf (OWGR): 52 (32)2026:

  • The Players: T-50
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-4

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 4/1Best Open finish: T-41 (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

50: Jacob Bridgeman

Age: 26Odds to win: +20000DFS Value: $6,400Data Golf (OWGR): 42 (27)2026:

  • The Players: T-5
  • The Masters: T-41
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-39

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

49: Kristoffer Reitan 2279542456

NurPhoto

Age: 28Odds to win: +25000DFS Value: $6,500Data Golf (OWGR): 36 (25)2026:

  • The Players: T-66
  • The Masters: T-41
  • PGA Championship: T-44
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-30The Open appearances/cuts made: 1/1Best Open finish: T30 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

48: Gary Woodland

Age: 42Odds to win: +14500DFS Value: $6,300Data Golf (OWGR): 60 (42)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: T-33
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-7

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 12/9Best Open finish: T-12 (2016)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-70)

47: Michael Brennan

Age: 24Odds to win: +20000DFS Value: $5,900Data Golf (OWGR): 95 (61)2026:

  • The Players: 69
  • The Masters: T-24
  • PGA Championship: 81
  • U.S. Open: T-43

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

46: Alex Noren

Age: 43Odds to win: +12500DFS Value: $6,400Data Golf (OWGR): 38 (24)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: T-30
  • PGA Championship: T-26
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 12/8Best Open finish: T-6 (2017)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2008 (T-19), 2017 (T-6)

45: David Puig 2283408508

Stuart Franklin

Age: 24Odds to win: +10500DFS Value: $6,500Data Golf (OWGR): 57 (64)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 1/0Best Open finish: MC (2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

44: Si Woo Kim

Age: 31Odds to win: +6600DFS Value: $6,900Data Golf (OWGR): 14 (22)2026:

  • The Players: T-50
  • The Masters: 47
  • PGA Championship: T-35
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 7/3Best Open finish: T-15 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

43: Ryan Gerard

Age: 26Odds to win: +16500DFS Value: $6,400Data Golf (OWGR): 33 (28)2026:

  • The Players: T-27
  • The Masters: T-38
  • PGA Championship: T-70
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

42: Sam Stevens

Age: 30Odds to win: +30000DFS Value: $5,700Data Golf (OWGR): 81 (46)2026:

  • The Players: 58
  • The Masters: T-24
  • PGA Championship: T-65
  • U.S. Open: T-7

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

41: JJ Spaun

Age: 35Odds to win: +8600DFS Value: $6,700Data Golf (OWGR): 15 (12)2026:

  • The Players: T-24
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-23The Open appearances/cuts made: 1/1Best Open finish: T-23 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

40: Angel Ayora 2284748297

Tracy Wilcox

Age: 21Odds to win: +16000DFS Value: $6,200Data Golf (OWGR): 72 (108)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: DNP

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: RookieBest Open finish: N/AThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

39: John Parry 2269289837

Icon Sportswire

Age: 39Odds to win: +44000DFS Value: $5,800Data Golf (OWGR): 117 (88)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-70
  • U.S. Open: T-11

The Open 2025: T-16The Open appearances/cuts made: 2/2Best Open finish: T-16 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

38: Min Woo Lee

Age: 27Odds to win: +7800DFS Value: $6,900Data Golf (OWGR): 44 (39)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 5/2Best Open finish: T-21 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

37: Akshay Bhatia

Age: 24Odds to win: +11500DFS Value: $6,600Data Golf (OWGR): 25 (26)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-17

The Open 2025: T-30The Open appearances/cuts made: 2/1Best Open finish: T-30 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

36: Kurt Kitayama

Age: 33Odds to win: +9200DFS Value: $6,500Data Golf (OWGR): 28 (33)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: 51
  • PGA Championship: T-10
  • U.S. Open: T-53

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 5/3Best Open finish: T-41 (2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

35: Alex Fitzpatrick

Age: 27Odds to win: +10500DFS Value: $7,400Data Golf (OWGR): 24 (62)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-75
  • U.S. Open: T-23

The Open 2025: DNPThe Open appearances/cuts made: 1/1Best Open finish: T-17 (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

34: Harris English

Age: 36Odds to win: +10500DFS Value: $6,700Data Golf (OWGR): 22 (29)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: T-30
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: 2The Open appearances/cuts made: 10/7Best Open finish: 2 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

33: Brian Harman

Age: 39Odds to win: +12500DFS Value: $6,600Data Golf (OWGR): 53 (63)2026:

  • The Players: T-11
  • The Masters: T-33
  • PGA Championship: T-60
  • U.S. Open: T-32

The Open 2025: T-10The Open appearances/cuts made: 10/6Best Open finish: Won (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

32: Adam Scott

Age: 45Odds to win: +9600DFS Value: $6,500Data Golf (OWGR): 39 (55)2026:

  • The Players: T-56
  • The Masters: T-24
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 25/19Best Open finish: 2 (2012)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2008 (T-16), 2017 (T-22)

31: Tom Kim 2285794390

Sean M. Haffey

Age: 24Odds to win: +10500DFS Value: $6,800Data Golf (OWGR): 69 (66)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: DNP
  • U.S. Open: 3

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 4/2Best Open finish: T-2 (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

30: Ben Griffin

Age: 30Odds to win: +9400DFS Value: $6,800Data Golf (OWGR): 19 (15)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: T-33
  • PGA Championship: T-14
  • U.S. Open: T-17

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 3/0Best Open finish: MCThe Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

29: Patrick Cantlay

Age: 34Odds to win: +5600DFS Value: $7,000Data Golf (OWGR): 13 (36)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: T-12
  • PGA Championship: T-35
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 7/5Best Open finish: T-8 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

28: Corey Conners

Age: 34Odds to win: +14000DFS Value: $6,800Data Golf (OWGR): 55 (52)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: T-49
  • PGA Championship: T-55
  • U.S. Open: T-23

The Open 2025: T-10The Open appearances/cuts made: 6/5Best Open finish: T-10 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

27: Bryson DeChambeau

Age: 32Odds to win: +4300DFS Value: $8,400Data Golf (OWGR): 26 (35)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-10The Open appearances/cuts made: 8/5Best Open finish: T-8 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

26: Robert MacIntyre

Age: 29Odds to win: +4200DFS Value: $8,000Data Golf (OWGR): 21 (20)2026:

  • The Players: 4
  • The Masters: MC
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-39

The Open 2025: T-7The Open appearances/cuts made: 6/6Best Open finish: T-6 (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

25: Shane Lowry

Age: 39Odds to win: +7000DFS Value: $7,900Data Golf (OWGR): 27 (45)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: T-30
  • PGA Championship: T-44
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-40The Open appearances/cuts made: 13/8Best Open finish: Won (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

When it comes to navigating true links golf, Shane Lowry cannot be overlooked. Lowry’s ball-striking would easily place him in the top 20 of these rankings. It’s the putter holding him back. Figure out the flatstick, and I’m all-in on the Irish Bear!

24: Aaron Rai

Age: 31Odds to win: +10000DFS Value: $7,100Data Golf (OWGR): 31 (16)2026:

  • The Players: MC
  • The Masters: 48
  • PGA Championship: Won
  • U.S. Open: T-11

The Open 2025: T-34The Open appearances/cuts made: 4/3Best Open finish: T-19 (2021)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

The PGA champion will keep out of the fescue. That’s going to be a serious edge this week. Aaron Rai probably won’t win two major championships in a single season, but pick him head to head against less accurate players, and I bet you clean up.

23: Jordan Spieth

Age: 32Odds to win: +6000DFS Value: $7,200Data Golf (OWGR): 66 (54)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: T-12
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: T-56

The Open 2025: T-40The Open appearances/cuts made: 12/12Best Open finish: Won (2017)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (Won)

Jordan Spieth has won twice since Royal Birkdale in 2017. That was 3,277 days ago. Spieth’s record at The Open is perfect: 12 starts, 12 made cuts. Unfortunately, the ball-striking has been less than perfect in his past few starts. Another year comes and goes without another magical major run from the terrific Texan.

22: Joaquin Niemann 2284715217

Luke Walker

Age: 27Odds to win: +5200DFS Value: $7,300Data Golf (OWGR): 30 (47)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: DNP
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: T-7

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 6/3Best Open finish: T-53 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

I believe Joaquin Niemann’s positive major championship season continues. Niemann’s trajectory control and scoring ability are a great fit for this well-rounded test. The patience Joaquin showed at Shinnecock Hills is a career moment that might finally prove he is a major contender.

21: Hideki Matsuyama

Age: 34Odds to win: +8600DFS Value: $6,900Data Golf (OWGR): 37 (30)2026:

  • The Players: T-27
  • The Masters: T-12
  • PGA Championship: T-26
  • U.S. Open: T-65

The Open 2025: T-16The Open appearances/cuts made: 11/8Best Open finish: T-6 (2013)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-14)

A quiet T-14 at the Travelers and Hideki Matsuyama at 86-1 will catch your attention. Not to mention, the last time we visited Royal Birkdale, Matsuyama made a nice run and finished T-14 as well. Hideki always seems to surprise us when his odds drop. Hideki has gained with his putter in three of his past four starts. Make Matsuyama your sleeper pick in pools and tiers contests—he’ll be matched up against players he’s much better than.

Age: 30Odds to win: +11000DFS Value: $6,700Data Golf (OWGR): 20 (37)2026:

  • The Players: T-32
  • The Masters: T-18
  • PGA Championship: T-18
  • U.S. Open: T-32

The Open 2025: T-23The Open appearances/cuts made: 3/1Best Open finish: T-23 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

Maverick McNealy has made the cut in his past seven major championship starts! Look above. McNealy didn’t finish outside the top 32 for the four “major” events this year. If you are looking for a deep middle tier player who is consistently performing, take this top gun.

19: Patrick Reed

Age: 35Odds to win: +6400DFS Value: $7,000Data Golf (OWGR): 48 (31)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: T-12
  • PGA Championship: T-10
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 10/6Best Open finish: 10 (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

Patrick Reed has 13 starts in 2026. A missed cut at Shinnecock Hills, and maybe the lack of tournament reps has become a problem for Patrick Reed. Reed’s also been inconsistent at The Open Championship. A couple of DP World Tour starts and a T-13 in Scotland give us hope, but in the end, your best bet on Reed will be when he comes back to the PGA Tour in the fall.

18: Brooks Koepka

Age: 36Odds to win: +5200DFS Value: $7,600Data Golf (OWGR): 74 (115)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: T-12
  • PGA Championship: T-55
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 11/8Best Open finish: T-4 (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-6)

The Brooks Koepka fans are going to focus on his T-6 finish at Royal Birkdale in 2017. I’m more concerned with the missed cut at Shinnecock Hills and the Renaissance Club. Until we really know if Brooks is 100 percent healthy, those odds would need to be doubled before I’m taking that ticket to the window.

17: Viktor Hovland

Age: 28Odds to win: +4400DFS Value: $8,300Data Golf (OWGR): 17 (13)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: T-18
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-63The Open appearances/cuts made: 5/4Best Open finish: T-4 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

Viktor Hovland is an enigma. He’s a perfect fit for the ball-striking test at Royal Birkdale, but which Hovland will show up? A missed cut at the U.S. Open, a win and a Sunday 64 (T-13) at the Scottish Open sums him up perfectly right now. Based on this ranking, I love the bounce-back factor, but overall this Norwegian might have a similar fate as his soccer countrymen when he takes on England’s links.

16: Ludvig Åberg

Age: 26Odds to win: +3100DFS Value: $9,300Data Golf (OWGR): 11 (19)2026:

  • The Players: T-5
  • The Masters: T-21
  • PGA Championship: T-4
  • U.S. Open: T-17

The Open 2025: T-23The Open appearances/cuts made: 2/1Best Open finish: T-23 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

Ludvig Åberg had six top 10s in seven starts from API to the PGA Championship. The results in major championships also keep Ludvig Åberg in the winner’s conversation, but what really happened at TPC Sawgrass? Åberg had The Players in his grasp and washed it away with two straight water balls. The kid is a generational ball-striker, but if he doesn’t close one of these events soon, the media won’t be the only ones questioning whether or not he can win.

15: Sam Burns 2283748605

Jordan Bank

Age: 29Odds to win: +4200DFS Value: $7,800Data Golf (OWGR): 6 (17)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: T-7
  • PGA Championship: T-26
  • U.S. Open: 2

The Open 2025: T-45The Open appearances/cuts made: 5/4Best Open finish: T-31 (2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

Sam Burns sat out the Scottish Open due to the impending birth of his second child. Will Burns be focused on Royal Birkdale or the baby? That’s the big question. Sam’s sensational run at the majors would place him in the top 10 of these British Open Power Rankings. Unfortunately, it’s tough to recommend a star player for picks and pools when he might leave halfway through.

14: Cameron Young

Age: 29Odds to win: +2800DFS Value: $9,000Data Golf (OWGR): 10 (3)2026:

  • The Players: Won
  • The Masters: T-3
  • PGA Championship: T-26
  • U.S. Open: T-43

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 4/3Best Open finish: 2 (2022)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

There are two trends I don’t love about Cameron Young heading into the Open Championship. Young’s best finish in The Open was his first back in 2022. Since then, the results have declined, including a missed cut last year. He’s on a similar trajectory this calendar year. The Players winner has four straight finishes outside the top 25 coming into Royal Birkdale.

13: Justin Thomas

Age: 33Odds to win: +5400DFS Value: $7,500Data Golf (OWGR): 18 (18)2026:

  • The Players: T-8
  • The Masters: T-41
  • PGA Championship: T-4
  • U.S. Open: T-17

The Open 2025: T-34The Open appearances/cuts made: 9/6Best Open finish: T-11 (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

Justin Thomas is one of a handful of players in the field who has made the cut in The Players and every major. Thomas only returned from back surgery in early March! It’s been a pretty successful season with six top-20 finishes in his past seven events heading into The Open. JT will keep it going with that world-class short game and approach acumen. Watch Thomas make a run at this title similar to the PGA at Aronimink.

12: Russell Henley 2279119411

Sam Hodde

Age: 37Odds to win: +5400DFS Value: $7,700Data Golf (OWGR): 12 (5)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: T-3
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-65

The Open 2025: T-10The Open appearances/cuts made: 11/6Best Open finish: 5 (2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-37)

Russell Henley has been racking up top-10 results in major championships. Two of those top-10 finishes are in his past two Open Championship starts. Henley is accurate and good in challenging conditions. Royal Birkdale is a true ball-striker’s test. If Russell were going to capture the claret jug, this venue would be a great fit for his skill set.

11: Justin Rose

Age: 45Odds to win: +4700DFS Value: $9,100Data Golf (OWGR): 23 (10)2026:

  • The Players: T-13
  • The Masters: T-3
  • PGA Championship: T-10
  • U.S. Open: T-11

The Open 2025: T-16The Open appearances/cuts made: 22/16Best Open finish: T-2 (2018, 2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 1998 (T-4), 2008 (T-70), 2017 (T-54)

Justin Rose was 18 years old when he holed out on the 72nd hole in 1998 at Royal Birkdale to finish T-4. In the past three years, Rose has nine top-16 results in major championships. Justin’s ability to raise his performance in the biggest events is amazing. No finish worse than T-11 in a major this year, Rose has three T-12 finishes in his past five starts.

RELATED: The PGA Tour lost its way. So why are we feeling so bullish on its future now?

10: Tyrrell Hatton

Age: 34Odds to win: +3700DFS Value: $8,900Data Golf (OWGR): 29 (21)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: T-3
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-7

The Open 2025: T-16The Open appearances/cuts made: 13/6Best Open finish: T-5 (2016)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (MC)

Tyrrell Hatton continues to show up in major championships. Hatton has five top-16 finishes in his past seven major starts! The iron game is as impressive as ever, and coming off a LIV win, seventh at the U.S. Open, and a solid T-17 in Scotland, the time for Hatton may very well be right now!

9: Chris Gotterup

Age: 26Odds to win: +2800DFS Value: $8,500Data Golf (OWGR): 16 (7)2026:

  • The Players: T-56
  • The Masters: T-24
  • PGA Championship: T-10
  • U.S. Open: T-43

The Open 2025: 3The Open appearances/cuts made: 1/1Best Open finish: 3 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

One week after capturing his third win of the season at the John Deere Classic, Chris Gotterup proved once again why he is a force on the PGA Tour. A slow Sunday scorecard left him in T-11 at the Renaissance Club, but there’s no doubt links golf is good for Gotterup. Chris finished the week 12th in strokes gained/tee to green. Gotterup’s left-to-right ball flight off the tee and iron trajectory are the perfect fit for Royal Birkdale. I expect another strong run at The Open by one of golf’s rising young stars.

8: Collin Morikawa

Age: 29Odds to win: +3100DFS Value: $8,700Data Golf (OWGR): 8 (6)2026:

  • The Players: WD
  • The Masters: T-7
  • PGA Championship: T-55
  • U.S. Open: T-17

The Open 2025: MCThe Open appearances/cuts made: 5/2Best Open finish: Won (2021)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

It’s feast or famine for Collin Morikawa at The Open Championship. Just made two cuts in five starts, when Morikawa makes the weekend, he contends or wins. After a controversial year in 2025, Collin has kept to himself in 2026. The quiet approach has led to a signature win and making the cut in three majors. With accuracy so important at Royal Birkdale, Morikawa might be your best option around 30-1. With a Sunday surge to a third place at the Travelers, Collin’s iron game is on fire and will keep Morikawa backers well fed.

7: Wyndham Clark

Age: 32Odds to win: +4200DFS Value: $8,200Data Golf (OWGR): 7 (8)2026:

  • The Players: T-42
  • The Masters: T-21
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: Won

The Open 2025: T-4The Open appearances/cuts made: 4/3Best Open finish: T-4 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

The hottest player on the planet is not Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy. It is Wyndham Clark! Since the PGA Championship, Clark has two wins, a third, a fifth, an 11th and a T-13. Much like Shinnecock Hills, Royal Birkdale is framed by dunes and marred by wind. No trees, no problem! Keep an eye on Clark as his T-13 at the Scottish shows the superb scrambling and scoring is not stopping anytime soon.

6: Jon Rahm 2285010623

Ross Parker – SNS Group

Age: 31Odds to win: +1550DFS Value: $9,700Data Golf (OWGR): 3 (11)2026:

  • The Players: DNP
  • The Masters: T-38
  • PGA Championship: T-2
  • U.S. Open: MC

The Open 2025: T-34The Open appearances/cuts made: 9/8Best Open finish: T-2 (2023)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-44)

Since 2024, Jon Rahm has had four top 10s in major championships. To put that in perspective, Russell Henley and Justin Rose have had five top 10s in that same time span. Rahm has been disappointing in golf’s biggest events since leaving the PGA Tour. Unfortunately, the results speak for themselves. Look at last week, T-36 at the Scottish Open against a great field … and Rahm was ranked 121st in SG/approach at the Renaissance Club. The talent and drive are there, but the question remains: Is the two-time major champion sharp enough to grab No. 3?

5: Tommy Fleetwood

Age: 35Odds to win: +2100DFS Value: $10,500Data Golf (OWGR): 5 (9)2026:

  • The Players: T-8
  • The Masters: T-33
  • PGA Championship: MC
  • U.S. Open: T-11

The Open 2025: T-16The Open appearances/cuts made: 11/7Best Open finish: 2 (2019)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-27)

No player would be a more popular winner of the Open Championship than Tommy Fleetwood. Growing up around the corner from Royal Birkdale, making this Open Fleetwood’s first major championship would be quite a story. A perfect fit for these links, let’s push the narrative. Tommy has lost strokes to the field twice all season. His form is fantastic coming off four straight sensational starts (T-4-T-11-T-11-T-14). Keep calm Tommy, and carry on; all of golf will be pulling for you on Sunday.

4: Xander Schauffele

Age: 32Odds to win: +2150DFS Value: $9,800Data Golf (OWGR): 9 (14)2026:

  • The Players: 3
  • The Masters: T-9
  • PGA Championship: T-7
  • U.S. Open: T-11

The Open 2025: T-7The Open appearances/cuts made: 8/8Best Open finish: Won (2024)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-20)

Xander Schauffele always shows up in major championships. A missed cut at the Scottish Open might be a sign, as Xander also finished T-51 at the Travelers, but look at that major record this season! Schauffele has never missed a cut at the Open and comes off a win in 2024 and a T-7 at Royal Portrush last year. Royal Birkdale is a complete test, and the PGA Tour’s most well-rounded major contender with 24 career top 15s in 37 major starts, X always marks the spot on golf’s major stages.

3: Matt Fitzpatrick

Age: 31Odds to win: +2100DFS Value: $10,000Data Golf (OWGR): 4 (4)2026:

  • The Players: 2
  • The Masters: T-18
  • PGA Championship: T-14
  • U.S. Open: 22

The Open 2025: T-4The Open appearances/cuts made: 10/8Best Open finish: T-4 (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: 2017 (T-44)

Matt Fitzpatrick is a player to watch this week. Fitzpatrick’s iron play was exceptional at the Scottish Open. Accuracy is a huge component to contending at Royal Birkdale. Matt’s confidence is high for a number of reasons. Fitzpatrick has three wins this season and another four top 10s. Consider his low trajectory and that he’s a proven links putter. Matt has gained with his flatstick against the field in every measured Open Championship. Approach form and a hot flatstick, Fitz is primed to perform and capture the claret jug.

2: Scottie Scheffler

Age: 30Odds to win: +590DFS Value: $13,300Data Golf (OWGR): 1 (1)2026:

  • The Players: T-22
  • The Masters: 2
  • PGA Championship: T-14
  • U.S. Open: T-4

The Open 2025: WonThe Open appearances/cuts made: 5/5Best Open finish: Won (2025)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: N/A

For the first time since August 2022, Scottie Scheffler missed the cut in a PGA Tour event. Scheffler did not hit his irons well in Scotland. Of 156 players in the field, Scottie was ranked 118th on approach after 36 holes. Scheffler usually struggles with his putter across the Atlantic. In nine combined starts between the Open and Scottish Open, Scottie has only gained strokes with his putter one time: last year’s title at Royal Portrush. Scheffler is the best player in the world, but the combination of inconsistent approach off the links turf and an awful putting history, World No. 1 cannot be first in these rankings.

1: Rory McIlroy

Age: 29 (birthday is Sunday, June 21)Odds to win: +500DFS Value: $11,900Data Golf (OWGR): 1 (1)2026:

  • The Players: T-46
  • The Masters: WIN
  • PGA Championship: T-7
  • U.S. Open: T-32

The Open 2025: T-7The Open appearances/cuts made: 16/13Best Open finish: Won (2014)The Opens at Royal Birkdale: T-4 (2017)

A smooth 64 on Sunday, and Rory McIlroy is your favorite heading into the Open Championship. The complaint all year has been the driver. McIlroy finished the week first in SG/off the tee at the Scottish Open. On top of that, the Northern Irishman was third in SG/tee to green. Of the players with the shortest odds, McIlroy makes the most sense. He has the experience and the links game to score with every club in his bag. Since winning the Open in 2014, McIlroy has six top 10s in nine starts. Outside of Matt Fitzpatrick, many of the world’s best players have questions surrounding their campaigns. Not McIlroy. This is the best player playing his best heading into Royal Birkdale.

• • •

Is it the British Open or the Open Championship? The name of the final men’s major of the golf season is a subject of continued discussion. The event’s official name, as explained in this op-ed by former R&A chairman Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship. But since many United States golf fans continue to refer to it as the British Open, and search news around the event accordingly, Golf Digest continues to utilize both names in its coverage.

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com