Final day of the major on the Royal Birkdale links course
The Open Championship returns to Royal Birkdale Golf Club, and the ticket for 19 July 2026 provides access to the final day of the 154th edition of the tournament. After three rounds, Sunday brings the final 18 holes, the battle for the Claret Jug and the conclusion of one of the four men's professional majors. Royal Birkdale is hosting The Open for the eleventh time, placing it among the most frequently used venues in the history of the competition outside St Andrews.
For a visitor, the final round is different from the first two days. The field has already been reduced after the cut, the groups are less widely dispersed across the course, and the leading players tee off later. The morning therefore offers more space to follow the earlier pairings, while in the afternoon attention shifts towards the groups deciding the title. Tickets for this event are in high demand.
Tournament format and the pace of the final round
The Open is played in an individual stroke play format over 72 holes, with 18 holes played on each of the four competition days. After the first 36 holes, players in 70th place or better make the cut, including those tied. On Saturday, the standings are established after 54 holes, and those standings determine Sunday's pairings and tee times. The exact tee times for 19 July cannot be fixed in advance because they depend on the result of the third round.
The gates open at 7:00 on Sunday. The estimated playing time is from 8:00 to 19:00, with a note from the organisers that the schedule may change during Championship week. The final groups generally tee off late enough for the closing stages to take place in the afternoon, but arriving early remains the best way to see more of the course, the leading players warming up and the first Sunday groups.
If, after 72 holes, several players share first place, the title is decided by an additional play-off in accordance with the tournament rules. The presentation ceremony follows the end of play and any play-off, so visitors who want to see the Claret Jug being raised should plan to spend the entire day on the course.
- Gates: 7:00
- Estimated play: 8:00-19:00
- Format: 72 holes, individual stroke play
- Cut: top 70 and ties after 36 holes
- The ticket is valid for the final competition day
Players worth following
The field announced at the beginning of July brings together defending champion Scottie Scheffler and a number of former winners of The Open. Confirmed names include Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman, Cameron Smith, Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, Jordan Spieth, Pádraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson, Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen, Stewart Cink and David Duval.
The competition is further strengthened by Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Ludvig Åberg and Joaquín Niemann. The final place in the field is awarded through the Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale on 13 July, so it is sensible to check the updated list before arriving.
Spieth and Harrington are particularly interesting for spectators at Royal Birkdale. Spieth won The Open here in 2017, when, after trouble on the 13th hole, he finished with a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie run and won by three shots. Harrington defended his title on the same course in 2008, and his fairway-wood attack on the par-5 17th remained one of the key shots of that edition. Their knowledge of the lines, angles and closing holes adds another layer to the story if they are in contention on Sunday.
Why Royal Birkdale demands precision
Royal Birkdale is a classic links course set between sand dunes. The current championship configuration has a par of 70 and a total length of 7,223 yards. The fairways run through natural corridors between the dunes, which often gives spectators a good view from elevated positions, but leaves players little room for error. The bunkers are deep, approaches to the greens depend on the angle from the fairway, and the firm ground can turn a seemingly good shot into a long roll towards a run-off area.
The opening is immediately demanding. The first hole is a 447-yard par 4 with danger on both sides, while the second and third reward control of position more than raw length. The fourth is a 219-yard par 3 with an elevated tee box and a green approximately 30 feet lower, so club selection depends on the pin position and wind direction.
The fifth hole has been completely redesigned as a short 321-yard par 4. It offers a choice between a safe lay-up and an attack towards the green, but a miss beyond or to the left of the target leaves an awkward recovery shot. The sixth, a 514-yard par 4, was the most difficult hole of the tournament in 2017. The tee shot must find the correct part of the dog-leg, and the second shot is often long and directed towards an elevated, contoured green.
The seventh is short only on the scorecard. The new green on the 151-yard par-3 hole is small, undulating and surrounded by some of the deepest bunkers on the course. For spectators, it is a good place to observe control with short irons, but movement should be planned between groups because space beside the green is limited.
Closing holes where the standings can change
From the 14th hole onwards, Royal Birkdale combines birdie opportunities with serious risk. The 14th is a 602-yard par 5 with bunkers on both sides of the fairway and a demanding green complex. The new 15th hole is a 241-yard par 3, the longest par 3 on the course. The entrance to the green looks narrower than the putting surface actually is, and shots that do not hold their line can finish in bunkers or broad run-off areas.
The 16th is a shorter 393-yard par 4 and may encourage an aggressive decision from a player chasing a score. The 17th, a 566-yard par 5, provides a realistic opportunity to attack in two shots if the tee shot is precise. The green is narrow, set on two levels and protected by sand, so the difference between an eagle opportunity and a bogey can be caused by one bad bounce.
The 18th is a 508-yard par 4 and finishes in front of the distinctive art deco clubhouse. The repositioned tee now aligns the hole towards the building, but a series of fairway bunkers punishes players who reach for the driver without control. In the final group, the decision from the tee will show who trusts their length and who chooses a longer but cleaner approach.
How to watch golf without constantly losing your place
The best day usually does not come from trying to see every shot played by one player. Royal Birkdale offers two effective strategies. The first is to follow one of the earlier groups through several holes while the course is quieter, then move towards the closing section. The second is to choose several positions and watch how different players solve the same problem.
Grandstands with public seating are positioned around the first hole and the 18th green, and seating is also available beside the Practice Ground. The Spectator Village has large screens, electronic scoreboards, food and drink, and an area for children. This makes it possible to take a break without completely losing touch with the standings.
A good schedule for the final day may look like this:
- Early morning at the Practice Ground, where the preparation and shot selection before teeing off can be seen.
- The first groups beside the 1st tee, followed by walking along the middle section of the course while the routes are less crowded.
- Taking up a position around the 14th or 15th hole before the leading pairings arrive.
- Following the scores on the screens and securing a place beside the 17th or 18th hole in good time.
Places disappear quickly, especially when the leading groups enter the final five holes. No position guarantees a view of every shot, so it is better to choose one closing hole and remain there than to try to force a way through to the 18th green late in the day.
Spectator etiquette beside the fairway
Golf requires a different rhythm of behaviour from stadium sports. Spectators may move along marked corridors and crossings, but they should stop when a player takes their stance and prepares a shot. Conversation, phone sounds and sudden movement at that moment can distract the group. Instructions from marshals and officials take priority, particularly at crossings where players, caddies and organisers' vehicles move between holes.
Photography is permitted only if it does not interfere with play and if the images are not used commercially. Flashes and video equipment are not permitted, nor are lenses longer than 300 mm when fully extended. Selfie sticks, tripods, folding chairs and items used to raise objects above the crowd are prohibited. A single-legged shooting stick and mobility aids are permitted in accordance with the event rules.
On the course, visitors must remain outside the ropes, must not touch the ball and must not enter playing areas. When a group completes a shot, movement resumes only after a signal from a marshal. Such discipline is especially important on Sundays, when a single disturbance during the closing stages can affect the battle for the major.
Arriving by train, car and taxi
The nearest railway station is Hillside, approximately 300 metres, or about a four-minute walk, from the main entrance. During peak periods, Merseyrail plans trains to and from Hillside at ten-minute intervals. Passengers arriving from the direction of Liverpool Lime Street can walk to Liverpool Central and transfer there to Merseyrail, while connections from the north and east run through Southport.
Public parking is not available at Royal Birkdale or in the immediate area. Drivers are directed towards organised Park & Ride locations, from which dedicated buses operate. The first Sunday service towards the course is scheduled for 6:45, and the final service from the course for 21:00. Traffic and parking restrictions apply in Birkdale and Hillside, so attempting to park in side streets is not a good alternative.
A designated taxi and private transport rank operates near the main entrance. Demand is expected to be high, especially after the trophy presentation, so the return journey should be arranged in advance. A free bicycle parking area is provided for cyclists near the main entrance.
For international visitors, connections through Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport are practical. Southport is a coastal town in the Liverpool City Region, known for its long coastline, Victorian architecture and concentration of championship links courses. For a weekend stay, it makes sense to choose accommodation connected to the Merseyrail line instead of relying on a car.
Practical information inside the venue
The entire venue operates without cash. Bottle-filling stations are available, and visitors may bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks and glass bottles may not be brought inside. Various types of food are sold on site, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
There is no prescribed dress code in the public areas, but the terrain is uneven and the day involves a great deal of walking. Layered clothing and footwear suitable for grass, sand and changing conditions are more practical than a formal appearance. Free Wi-Fi is available on the course, in the grandstands and in the Spectator Village, while electronic scoreboards and the tournament app help visitors follow the groups.
Re-entry on the same day is permitted with a valid digital ticket and a wristband that must be collected upon the first exit. Without both items, returning is not possible. This is useful for visitors staying nearby, but on the final day the queue for another security check should be taken into account.
It is worth securing tickets in good time and checking the updated schedule, Sunday's tee times, the list of permitted items and traffic notices before travelling. The most important part of planning is deciding whether you want to walk with one group or hold a position at the closing holes - attempting to combine both approaches during the final hour often ends with watching the crowd instead of the decisive shots.
Sources:
- The Open - Championship week schedule, player field, tournament history, hole guide and spectator information
- The R&A - format and status of The Open Championship and the qualification route for the final place in the field
- Royal Birkdale Golf Club - information about the course, clubhouse and hole characteristics
- Visit Southport and VisitLiverpool - context about Southport and the coastal region for visitors