The Quadrilateral

Bryson DeChambeau recovering from a Birkdale bunker. (@Rolex/Thomas Lovelock) Those who had less-than-stellar weeks compared to the Champions and Cutmakers… Bryson DeChambeau. Made his first major cut in 2026 and finally finished on the plus side with his approach play (+0.93 SG/60th). But making it to this edition after the fourth straight major means “BAD” became the first golfer to ever hit The Quadrilateral’s (Point) Missers Impregnable Quadrilateral.

Scottie Scheffler tees off on the 13th hole in round three. Cameron Smith/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) A special Open means we have more performances worth remembering, with caveats… Scottie Scheffler. It was a week of contradictions for the world No. 1. who embraced and appreciated the role of defending Champion Golfer of the Year. He turned up after a Genesis Scottish Open missed cut in good spirits and excited about digging into the details of Birkdale.

Ryan Fox with the Claret Jug. (Charlie Crowhurst/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) The very best from a sensational week in Birkdale… Ryan Fox. Links breakthrough weeks often produce Open champions who admit they didn’t initially get it or didn’t adapt fast enough, only for the one to emerge from 156 to acknowledge it took too long to appreciate the depth of satisfaction that comes from contending in the world’s oldest championship.

Ryan Fox of New Zealand plays his second shot on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale. (Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) Final Round By The Numbers -10: Winning score of Ryan Fox 270: 72-hole score byFox T52: Fox’s position after 36 holes (Even par) 2nd: Player from New Zealand to win (Bob Charles, 1963) 64: Final round score by Cameron Young (2nd) 11 ft. 0 inches.: Stimpmeter speed 7,157: Final round yardage (7,223 max) 11 ft.

Burns tees off at No. 13th during round three (Stuart Kerr/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) Round Three By The Numbers -10: Leading score of Sam Burns (73-62-65-200) 62: Low third-round score by Ryan Fox 9: Birdies made by Fox 21: Putts by Fox 2:26 p.m.: Time when Fox finished his round 3:30 p.m.: Third round tee time of Sam Burns, Bryson DeChambeau 30 of 78: Rounds under par (38 in round one, 69 in round two) 206 (-4): Leading score of a former Open Champion (Schauffele) 70.256: Round three scoring...

Lucas Herbert after shooting 62.

Jackson Suber of the United States after posting 65 to lead The Open in his first appearance. (Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) Round One By The Numbers 65: Low score by Jackson Suber 80: High score by Padraig Harrington 67: Low score by a former Open Champion (Francesco Molinari) 38: Rounds under par 2: Bogey-free rounds (Hisatsune/68 and Reitan/69).

Scottie Scheffler tees off at No. 10 during Wednesday’s final day of practice Royal Birkdale could not look more sublime on Open Eve. The course is pristine if a tad canary-yellow, the greens are firm and speeding up, and most heartening to links lovers across the globe? The fairways are running faster than yours truly running from today’s Media Centre mystery stew. While a little drama might have been fun, the championship has been devoid of controversy.

Practice underway at the first green on Tuesday With the Last Chance Qualifier no longer bringing dignified competition to the grounds, a typical 21st-century major championship practice round broke out Tuesday at Royal Birkdale. Peak entouraging expedited the links’ transition from a shade of Media Centre Mac & Cheese, to Desert Camel Rigor Mortis. There were the usual launch monitor holdererers, wealth management advisors, left-brain coaches, and team chemists out helping to dial in the cyborgs.

Joe Dean of England recovers from the greenside sand en route to winning the Last-Chance Qualifier, prior to The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale (Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) Monday’s Last Chance qualifier finished above and beyond any dream scenarios the R&A might have cooked up. English Joe Dean, the former Morrisons delivery-driver, about-to-be-married-to-his-caddie, and DP World Tour journeyman, grabbed the final spot in The 154th after posting 68.