Each of the last 12 editions of The Open have been won by a first-time champion, but will that run continue this week and who could challenge the world’s best for major victory?
Padraig Harrington was the last player to win back-to-back editions of The Open, defending his title in 2008, while no player has lifted the Claret Jug for a second time since Ernie Els' 2012 win at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
Scottie Scheffler is looking to end both records by successfully defending his title, a year on from winning at Royal Portrush to complete the third leg of the career Grand Slam, with the world No 1 aiming to bounce back from a shock missed cut at last week's Genesis Scottish Open.
Four of the last five Champion Golfers have come from America, with US Open champion Wyndham Clark, 2021 Open winner Collin Morikawa and in-form Chris Gotterup among those looking to extend that run this week at Royal Birkdale.
"Royal Birkdale is going to be unbelievably firm," said Your Site Golf's Andrew Coltart. "The big hitters will have to watch out because their golf ball is going to be running through fairways into thick rough. Short and smart off the tee will get the job done."
Masters champion Rory McIlroy is another hoping to lift the Claret Jug for a second time, having won at Royal Liverpool in 2014, with four of the last five winners of The Open coming from the top six in the Official World Golf Rankings.
"If you had asked me five years ago, I would have definitely said that I would have more Claret Jugs than Green Jackets," McIlroy told Your Site News about his previous major predictions. "I've played well at The Open.
"I had the win in 2014, but I've had a lot of top-10s. I've had two or three really good chances to win this tournament since then. I'd love to get my hands on another Claret Jug."
Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose are all among the home hopes chasing major victory in Merseyside, with England looking for their first winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992.
Which player will join McIlroy, Aaron Rai and Clark as a major champion in 2026 and who could be a dark horse this week? We asked the Your Site Golf pundits to name who they think will take home the $3.2 first prize and who could be a surprise pick for major glory...
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley told Your Site: "With his charisma, what he stands for and who he is as a person, I think it would be wonderful to have Fleetwood as a major champion in his hometown here of Southport.
"Fleetwood is not a serial winner, although he did reach the heights of winning one of the biggest events on the PGA Tour. The next level is for him to win one of these majors. What great sportspeople do is they come to play in the big arenas.
"For Tommy, this is probably the biggest arena of them all, even higher than The Masters; to try and win The Open Championship in the town that you're from. Arenas don't get much bigger than that.
"Matt Fitzpatrick is the one you pick to be the favourite (of the English), given his form this year. He's got good form on the links. He's an excellent iron player and that will be a key factor this week."
Your Site is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with wall-to-wall action from the final men's major of the year getting under way at 6.30am on Thursday on Your Site Golf.
There will be at least 15 hours of action on both the first two rounds, with bonus feeds available on Your Site+ or the , with extended coverage then starting at 9am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.
