The Open 2026

Your Golf Travel are in advanced discussions with The R&A and The Open Experiences to be appointed as an Official Sub-Agent for The 154th Open Championships at Royal Birkdale in 2026.

Our packages and pricing for The Open will be shared once an agreement is confirmed. In the meantime we ask you to express your interest with us and we will come back to you shortly.

Royal Birkdale, Southport, England

The Open is heading back to the English Golf Coast of Southport in 2026 for The 154th Open Championship, 9 years after Jordan Spieth emerged triumphant.

With access to a host of incredible packages including tickets, hotels, daily transfers, onsite event management, golf and access to our EXCLUSIVE CLUBHOUSE.

We'll be delighted to organise anything from a short trip to one including playing at the many amazing golf courses nearby as part of a truly memorable trip to The Open.

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Throughout the week our EXCLUSIVE CLUBHOUSE will play host to an incredible array of entertainment, Q&A's some of the golfing world's best known names. Food & drink will be available long into the evening to enhance your experience at what promises to be one of the most exciting majors of 2026.

Let us take care of everything from the moment you arrive at your hotel, to the moment the Claret jug is lifted and the new Champion golf of the year is announced.

Don't stop at Royal Birkdale and Southport, why not explore North West England's other incredible golf courses and tourist attractions?

Course

Royal Birkdale

Par

70

Yardage

7156

Designer

Frederick G. Hawtree, J.H. Taylor

Opening year

1889

At the 83rd Open Championship, Australia's Peter Thomson won the first of his five titles, becoming the first Australian to claim the Claret Jug. Entering the final round tied, a pivotal bunker shot on the 16th to within inches of the cup was key to his victory. He won by one stroke, a victory that marked the start of his dominance and a significant moment for Australian golf.

Arnold Palmer captured the 1961 Claret Jug, defeating Dai Rees by one stroke and renewing American interest in The Open. Palmer mastered severe weather conditions, hitting a now legendary 6-iron from the rough on the 15th hole to secure victory. The win showcased his grit and cemented his iconic status in the world of golf.

Peter Thomson claimed his fifth and final Open title in 1965, cementing his place among the legends. Battling challenging final-day weather, his experience proved decisive against a field including Palmer and Nicklaus. While his rivals struggled, Thomson's steady hand and birdies on the last two holes secured a two-stroke victory, a memorable triumph in his illustrious career.

The 100th Open in 1971 was a thrilling duel between Lee Trevino and Lu Liang Huan. Trevino built a large lead, but a late charge from 'Mr. Lu' and a Trevino double-bogey on 17 narrowed the gap to one shot. After a dramatic final hole where Lu’s approach hit a spectator, both men made birdie, giving Trevino the Claret Jug by a single stroke.

While Johnny Miller won the 1976 Open, the championship is remembered for the emergence of 19-year-old Seve Ballesteros. Ballesteros held a two-shot lead before Miller's brilliant final-round 66 secured a six-stroke win. Seve's unforgettable performance was capped by a magical chip on the 18th hole to tie for second place, heralding the arrival of a new superstar.

Tom Watson won his fifth and final Open in 1983, joining golf's elite. After falling behind, he rallied with three crucial back-nine birdies. Needing a par to win, Watson hit a magnificent 2-iron from 218 yards onto the final green to secure his one-stroke victory over Andy Bean and Hale Irwin. A costly missed putt from Irwin on the 17th hole ultimately proved decisive.

Australia's Ian Baker-Finch claimed the 1991 Claret Jug with a remarkable weekend. He shot a course-record 64 on Saturday to share the lead, then started his final round with an incredible front-nine 29. This surge gave him a commanding lead he never lost, finishing with a 66 to win by two strokes. The victory was a redemption for past final-round struggles.

Mark O'Meara became the oldest player to win two majors in one year at the 1998 Open. He defeated surprise contender Brian Watts in a four-hole playoff, which was forced after Watts holed a dramatic bunker shot on the 18th. O'Meara's experience secured the victory in a championship also notable for 17-year-old amateur Justin Rose's incredible fourth-place finish.

Padraig Harrington successfully defended his title at the 2008 Open, played in severe winds. The defining moment was a spectacular 5-wood on the 17th that led to an eagle, securing a four-stroke victory. The championship was also notable for 53-year-old Greg Norman holding the third-round lead. Amateur Chris Wood also impressed, finishing fifth to win the Silver Medal.

Jordan Spieth captured the 2017 Claret Jug with a spectacular final-round comeback against Matt Kuchar. After falling behind, Spieth mounted an incredible charge with a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie stretch to secure a three-stroke victory. The win was his third major title before turning 24. The championship also saw Branden Grace make history by shooting the first-ever 62 in a men's major.