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2026 Open Championship picks to win: Our expert’s 6 favorite bets

The 2026 Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale. Here are 6 picks our expert loves — and why he thinks you should too.

By: Brady Kannon

July 14, 2026

‘Definitely shows class’: Jack Nicklaus’ ‘surreal’ gesture floors major winner

Jack Nicklaus’ “surreal” gesture floored PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, and he talked about it at the Open Championship.

The best Open Championships all have 1 thing, and this week will deliver it

Anyone watching The Open at Royal Birkdale will witness the one thing that makes for fascinating golf. You won't have to look hard to see it.

'Zero clue of strategy': Nick Faldo unloads on Bryson DeChambeau at Open Championship

Nick Faldo harshly criticized Bryson DeChambeau's lack of links strategy in a podcast interview ahead of the 2026 Open Championship.

The Open Championship has mastered blending innovation with timelessness

2026 Open Championship expert picks to win, sleepers to watch at Royal Birkdale

5 early Open observations from on the ground at Royal Birkdale

Jordan Spieth is different. But so is Royal Birkdale. Maybe that's a good thing

Tommy Fleetwood's home Open Championship video promo

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Birkdale Open: The biggest event of Tommy Fleetwood's life

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What working on a PGA Tour truck is actually like | Fully Equipped

Three views of a Clicgear Model 4.5 foldable push cart: folded, unfolded with a golf bag, and a close-up showing storage compartments and a red Clicgear water bottle attached. Trees and grass fill the background.

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This foldable push cart includes every useful feature you can imagine

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Tommy Fleetwood’s Hometown Major

Local legend Tommy Fleetwood is returning to his hometown of Southport for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale—this time with an even greater chance of capturing the Claret Jug. But what does this really mean to Fleetwood and to the town that raised him? GOLF’s Sean Zak went to this English town to find out.

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GOLF Course Finder zoomed in to New York golf courses

Explore GOLF's Course Finder powered by Open Links

With our new Course Finder, developed with our partners at Open Links, you can browse golf courses all over the world to find need-to-know information about all of them. Find a course near you or your vacation destination, or explore GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in a visual format, then secure a tee time!

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