Scottie Scheffler Starts Strong in 2026 British Open Title Defense

Scottie Scheffler has made a strong start in his 2026 British Open title defense, carding a 3-under 31 through the first nine holes at Royal Birkdale. The world No. 1 looks sharp after a disappointing performance last week in Scotland, with his putter cooperating and tee shots finding fairways. The 154th Open Championship began early Thursday with tee times stretching from 6:35 a.m. local time (1:35 a.m. ET) until nearly eight hours later.

What happened in Round 1?

Scheffler’s front-nine performance put him in contention early, though he faces stiff competition from Dan Brown and Sungjae Im, who share the lead at 4-under after matching 66s. Brown, an Englishman playing in his second Open, impressed with a T10 finish at Royal Troon in 2024 and continues his strong form. Meanwhile, Alex Smalley, who contended at the PGA Championship earlier this year, stumbled late with a double bogey on the 18th to drop to 3-under.

Why it matters for Scottie Scheffler

After a rare off-week in Scotland, Scheffler’s fast start at Royal Birkdale signals a return to form. The 2025 Open champion is no stranger to bouncing back from setbacks, and his early birdies suggest he’s dialed in. With rivals like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth also in the field, Scheffler’s consistency could be key to retaining his title.

What comes next?

As the afternoon wave tees off, Scheffler will aim to maintain his momentum on the back nine. The unpredictable conditions at Royal Birkdale-where players like Robert MacIntyre and Bryson DeChambeau have employed vastly different strategies-could test even the world’s best. With the cut looming, every shot counts for Scheffler as he chases another major.