R&A chief executive Mark Darbon has confirmed that plans are under review on whether to change Sunday's final‑round tee times at The Open, should England reach the FIFA World Cup final. Over 300,000 fans are expected to attend the final men’s major this week at Royal Birkdale, where the final round on Sunday is scheduled to take place on the same day as the World Cup final in New Jersey. The football final between Spain and either England or Argentina will kick off at 8pm UK time at the Met Life Stadium, around 80 minutes after the final putt is scheduled to be holed on Merseyside.

Darbon has previously said the R&A would "try and avoid that clash wherever possible", with a three‑hole play‑off potentially resulting in The Open and its trophy presentation overrunning into when the football is already under way. Discussions have been ongoing between stakeholders in recent weeks over whether to bring Sunday's tee times forward to avoid a clash, with the R&A currently sticking with its planned schedule but set to revisit the situation once the World Cup finalists are confirmed.

"I'm an England football fan, so it [them in the final] would be a great problem to have," Darbon said at a pre‑tournament press conference. "At this stage, no plans to alter anything, but we'll maintain that under review and finalise our position after the semi‑final."

The Open uses a three‑hole aggregate play‑off to determine a winner when scores are tied after 72 holes, with sudden death then implemented should scores be level.