Open Championship 2026: Ranking the most intriguing Round 1 groups

Those in charge of tee times at the 2026 Open Championship did their best to lay the groundwork for potential drama when the final major of the men's golf calendar begins with Round 1 on Thursday, July 16.

The featured groups for the opening rounds of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale are filled with intriguing possibilities, starting with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. He's in a group with LIV Golf star and former Ryder Cup teammate Bryson DeChambeau, plus Tyrrell Hatton. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, will headline a group made up exclusively of past major winners.