From Ryan Fox’s remarkable mental game and lightning-fast pace to Bryson DeChambeau’s rules controversy and Cameron Young’s brutal near-miss, here’s everything worth remembering from a wild week at Royal Birkdale.
Rahm chipping over Kazuma Kobori, Fleetwood’s emotional walk to the first tee, and Min Woo Lee urging Ryan Fox to drink from the claret jug, here are 18 behind-the-scenes moments you didn’t see on TV.
Ryan Fox has hailed his Open Championship triumph as huge for New Zealand golf, crediting his time on the Australian tour as a key factor in becoming a late-blooming major champion at 39.
Si Woo Kim had a shot at becoming the first Asian-born Open champion before four bogeys on the back nine cost him. He didn’t sugarcoat it afterwards, calling it “another choke” on Instagram.
In 2017, the last time the Open Championship was at Royal Birkdale, the back-nine drama belonged to Jordan Spieth with a now-infamous sequence on the 13th hole that sparked his run to the claret jug. In 2026, the chaos came for Scottie Scheffler instead.
Australian Cameron John can hardly believe he’s set to feature in the shake-up to a major championship for the first time after another fine round at Birkdale.
Australian Lucas Herbert has paid the price for a poor finish to ‘moving day’ as American Sam Burns took the reins going into the British Open last round.
Scottie Scheffler’s title defense got off to a strong start at Royal Birkdale, a hot opening burst followed by a cold putter leaving him two back of the lead, but firmly in control heading into the weekend.
Days after Nick Faldo said he had “zero clue of strategy,” Bryson DeChambeau opened with a three-under 67 at Royal Birkdale, using the word “strategy” three times in his post-round interview.
Travis Smyth’s post-round press conference had it all, from nerves on the first tee to a hilariously blunt take on what it’s like watching Scottie Scheffler up close.
Min Woo Lee says the firm, brown turf at Royal Birkdale could play right into his hands, building on the mental and technical progress he made at last week’s Scottish Open.
Royal Birkdale demands shots most players rarely need. Here are the five essential shots pros are cramming into their practice ahead of the Open Championship, from the off-green putt to the chunk-and-run.
Ian Baker-Finch’s return to Royal Birkdale has doubled as a recruitment mission, with the Australian PGA chair talking to Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm about playing big-money golf in Australia.
Australian Golf Digest
