The Open 2026 tee times: Rory McIlroy given late start to opening round at Royal Birkdale as R1 groupings revealed
Rory McIlroy has been paired with Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick for the opening rounds of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Meanwhile, defending champion Scottie Scheffler will play alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau.
Why it matters
The Open Championship is one of golf's four major tournaments, and these groupings represent the most significant competitive matchups for the final major of the 2026 season.
Rory McIlroy has been grouped alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick for the first two rounds of The 154th Open, with Scottie Scheffler on the opposite side of the draw at Royal Birkdale. <p>McIlroy is in the late wave as he looks to bookend his major season with victories and win The Open for the first time since 2014, with The Masters champion out at 3.15pm on Thursday.</p><p>The world No 2 has been handed a marquee grouping alongside 2024 winner Schauffele and former US Open champion Fitzpatrick, who already has three victories on the PGA Tour this season and is looking to become the first English winner of The Open since Sir Nick Faldo.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/golf/live-blog/12176/13562792/the-open-2026-build-up-live-latest-news-updates-highlights-from-royal-birkdale-ahead-of-final-mens-major-of-the-year">The Open LIVE! Latest build-up from Royal Birkdale</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13561596/the-open-2026-tv-coverage-royal-birkdale-schedule-start-times-featured-groups-and-how-to-watch-or-stream-major-on-sky-sports">When is The Open on Sky?
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