The Open Championship: Form stats ahead of the final major of 2026

The Open: Three players in good current form

Scottie Scheffler @ 7/18.00: Forget his rare, missed cut, last week in Scotland. The defending champion and world No 1 will still be firing on all cylinders at Royal Birkdale. He's collected more World Ranking points than anyone during 2026 and has posted top-four finishes in six of his most recent nine events.

Matt Fitzpatrick @ 14/115.00: His remarkable season continues with another podium finish in Scotland on Sunday. Currently a career-high No 3 in the world, the Sheffield pro tied-fourth at Royal Portrush 12 months ago.

Tyrrell Hatton @ 33/134.00: A winner on the LIV Tour last month, the Englishman finished seventh at the recent US Open and put together four consistent rounds at The Renaissance Club last week.

The Open: Three with strong Open history

Rory McIlroy @ 8/19.00: Amazing to think that McIlroy's only Open title, so far, arrived 12 years ago at nearby Royal Liverpool. However, there has been six top-seven finishes for McIlroy at The Open since.

Jon Rahm @ 20/121.00: Currently enjoys a healthy advantage at the top of this season's LIV Tour points' standings. Has twice stood on the podium in The Open and was runner-up at May's PGA Championship. His last 20 Open rounds average 69.55.

Xander Schauffele @ 25/126.00: The Open champion from two years ago who finished tied-seventh on his title defence. Usually plays well in Majors and in this season's Masters, PGA and US Open posted top-12 finishes.

The Open: Three others to consider

Tommy Fleetwood @ 16/117.00: The local boy hoping to secure his maiden major title. Will home support help or hinder him? That's the big question. A remarkably consistent pro who was runner-up at Portrush seven years ago.

Chris Gotterup @ 25/126.00: Has quickly adapted to the requirements of links golf. The 26-year-old from Maryland finished third on his Open debut last year. He won the Scottish Open in 2025 and finished T11 on his title defence over the weekend. A three-time winner on the PGA Tour this season.

Viktor Hovland @ 33/134.00: Has returned to decent form in recent weeks, which includes a play-off victory over Scottie Scheffler at the end of June. Has a best Open performance of tied-fourth from 2022 when he was tied-for-the-lead after 54 holes.

Stroke Averages

Lowest 12 in The Open (2021-25)
Average .... (Rounds)
69.30: Xander Schauffele (20)
69.30: Scottie Scheffler (20)
69.55: Jon Rahm (20)
69.60: Brian Harman (20)
69.72: Rory McIlroy (18)
69.90: Jordan Spieth (20)
70.00: Tommy Fleetwood (18)
70.14: Justin Rose (14)
70.22: Shane Lowry (18)
70.29: Cameron Young (14)
70.35: Corey Conners (20)
70.36: Billy Horschel (14)
Min. No. of Rounds = 10
Only those entered this week are included in table

Note: List Contains Leading Reserves