The 2026 Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, with the course playing firm and fast at 7,223 yards. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters as favorite alongside Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Tommy Fleetwood.

ESPN's experts are split: Matt Barrie and Curtis Strange back Fitzpatrick, Tory Cabrera and Michael Collins pick Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton respectively, while Michael Eaves favors Fleetwood. Peter Lawrence-Riddell and Pamela Maldonado both select McIlroy at +850, citing his course management and long-iron prowess. Mark Schlabach and Marty Smith both choose Collin Morikawa, noting his accuracy suits the conditions.

Maldonado's top bets include Fitzpatrick for top-10 at +166, McIlroy as top past champion at +235, Scheffler's Round 1 score over 68.5 at +102, and long shot Si Woo Kim at +4300. She emphasizes strategy over distance, with fairway bunkers penalizing errant tee shots and long approaches from 175-plus yards crucial.