July 15, 2026, 10:13 a.m. ET
The 2026 Open Championship will be held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.Golfweek’s writers have made their predictions for the outright winner of the tournament.Matt Fitzpatrick was selected by two different writers as their pick to win the Claret Jug.Other notable picks include Wyndham Clark, Chris Gotterup, Justin Rose, and Russell Henley.
The 2026 Open Championship tees off on Thursday, Jul. 16, from Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. Golfweek’s scribes have locked in our best picks to win this weekend. Here’s who we expect to sit atop the leaderboard when play ends on Sunday.
Follow along with all the action this week with Golfweek and USA TODAY Sports for a live leaderboard, golfer rankings and money list.
The Open Championship Outright WinnerCameron Jourdan: Wyndham Clark (+3000)
Who cares that he was tinkering with his swing using a coat hanger earlier in the week? Clark’s worst finish in his past six starts is T-13. In between is a pair of wins, including the U.S. Open last month. He’s going to get a Claret Jug to drink some grape out of at week’s end.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!David Dusek: Matt Fitzpatrick (+1600)
Last week, I picked Fitzpatrick at the Genesis Scottish Open to start his run up to winning at Royal Birkdale and he was rock solid, so I am not backing off my pick now. Fitzpatrick, who has already won three times on the PGA Tour, will be named the Champion Golfer of the Year.
Nick Stavas: Matt Fitzpatrick (+1600)
You could argue that there has been no better golfer in the world in 2026 than Matt Fitzpatrick. He has three wins, eight top-10s and has yet to miss a cut in 17 starts. He’s also made five cuts in a row at the Open and finished T-4 last year. I’m taking Fitzy to pick up major No. 2 and get halfway to the career Grand Slam.
Timothy Schmitt: Chris Gotterup (+2800)
Gotterup is having an incredible season with three victories and 11 top-25 finishes, but nobody seems to be taking him seriously as a potential major winner. That changes this week.
Todd Kelly: Justin Rose (+3300)
Outside of a missed cut at the RBC Canadian Open, Rose has put together some strong finishes on the PGA Tour. No Englishman has won the Open on English soil since Tony Jacklin in 1969. Rose looks to break that drought. Oh, and England could win its first World Cup since 1966 on the same day.
Adam Schupak: Russell Henley (+5000)
Henley has knocked on the door at his share of majors and the firm and fast conditions at Birkdale should negate his lack of distance and give him a chance to let his ball striking lead him to victory. Henley won just a few months ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge with a dramatic charge and showed he can be a closer.
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