Rory McIlroy's 2026 British Open Tee Times & Pairings Revealed

Rory McIlroy will begin his quest for a second British Open title at Royal Birkdale on July 17, 2026, paired with Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick in the first two rounds. The Northern Irish star, chasing his first Open Championship win since 2014, tees off at 3:15 p.m. local time (10:15 a.m. ET) on Thursday and 10:09 a.m. (5:09 a.m. ET) on Friday.

McIlroy has shown strong form in recent Open Championships, finishing third in 2022, tied for sixth in 2023, and tied for seventh in 2025. Despite only one win this season at the Masters, McIlroy remains optimistic after a seventh-place finish at the Genesis Scottish Open. "I don't feel like it's too far away," he said, per Paul Hodowanic of PGATour.com.

Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion and world No. 1, will look to claim his fifth major title. Scheffler, who won at Royal Portrush in 2025, has struggled recently, missing the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open. Other top contenders include Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, and Justin Thomas.

McIlroy admitted he needs to refine his game before the tournament. "I know I need to do a bit of work between now and next Thursday," he said. However, his recent performance in Scotland suggests he's trending in the right direction. The Open Championship, known for its unpredictable conditions, will test McIlroy's adaptability.

After the Open, McIlroy will likely focus on the FedEx Cup Playoffs, where he’ll aim to build on his strong season. His performance at Royal Birkdale could set the tone for the rest of 2026.