The Open 2026: Can Royal Birkdale finally end England’s long wait for a home champion?

It has been 57 years since Tony Jacklin became the last Englishman to lift the trophy at an Open staged in England, with his victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1969 remaining the most recent example.

Since then, England has produced some of the greatest golfers of the modern era, including Sir Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, yet the Claret Jug has continued to evade the nation’s leading players when the championship has returned to English shores.

Faldo remains England’s only multiple Open champion, winning three times between 1987 and 1992, although each of those victories came in Scotland. More recently, home hopes have fallen short despite strong challenges from the likes of Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and others.

However, this year’s championship at Royal Birkdale could provide one of the best opportunities yet for an English winner to finally break the drought.

Tommy Fleetwood chasing a dream Birkdale victory

Few players would appreciate the significance of a Royal Birkdale triumph more than Tommy Fleetwood.

The Southport-born star grew up just a short distance from the course and has long dreamed of competing for the Claret Jug on familiar ground.

Fleetwood, currently one of the leading players in world golf, believes it is remarkable that England has not produced an Open champion on hone soil for so long.

“We’ve had a lot of good golfers over the years,” Fleetwood said.

“We’ve had plenty of guys who’ve been close, but all runs have to come to an end some time.”

A victory at Birkdale would represent the biggest moment of Fleetwood’s career, with the 35-year-old still searching for his first major championship.

The prospect of achieving that breakthrough at the course where he watched The Open as a child makes the opportunity even more special.

“Playing an Open at Birkdale is something that is always going to be very, very special and sit on a pedestal for anybody from Southport,” Fleetwood added.

“I’d probably take that and not hit another golf shot.

“I’d take that very happily. That’s the ultimate, right? That’s like Mount Everest, you know, winning an Open at Birkdale.”

Fleetwood already has fond memories of the venue. During the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale, he recovered from a difficult start to make the cut for the first time in the championship.

Since then, he has continued to contend on links courses, finishing runner-up at Royal Portrush in 2019 and recording further strong finishes at St Andrews and Royal Liverpool.

Matt Fitzpatrick arrives with confidence

Alongside Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick heads into the week as another leading English contender.

The Sheffield-born golfer has enjoyed an outstanding season, collecting multiple victories on the PGA Tour and establishing himself among the strongest players in the world.

Fitzpatrick arrives at Royal Birkdale after finishing tied third at last week’s Scottish Open, giving him valuable momentum heading into the final major of the year.

“It’s another confidence booster to bring into this week,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It’s the final major of the year, so you’re going to give it a good push.”

The 2022 US Open champion knows the Birkdale layout well, having used the course regularly in preparation for previous Open Championships.

Despite that experience, Fitzpatrick believes accuracy could be crucial this year.

“I’ve played the golf course a lot, but I can’t put my finger on what necessarily is needed,” he explained.

“I feel like the fairways this year look a little bit tighter than most links golf courses. And I think for me, that’s probably going to play the biggest part into it.”

Justin Rose chasing a storybook ending

Another player with a special connection to Royal Birkdale is Justin Rose. The former world number one first announced himself on the Open stage at the venue as a teenager in 1998, finishing fourth as a 17-year-old amateur after producing a memorable final-hole birdie.

Two decades later, Rose came agonisingly close again, finishing runner-up at Carnoustie in 2018 before sharing second place at Royal St George’s three years ago.

The 2013 US Open champion continues to compete at the highest level and a victory at Birkdale would compete a remarkable chapter in his career.

Aaron Rai aiming to follow history-makers

Aaron Rai will also enter the championship full of confidence after becoming the first Englishman in more than 100 years to win the PGA Championship earlier this season.

His success proved that long-standing records can be broken, something that will give hope to the home contenders at Royal Birkdale.

England’s challenge will not come without significant competition, though. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre are among the leading contenders, while Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Fitzpatrick could also mount strong challenges.

The Open has a long history of producing unforgettable moments, and this year’s return to Royal Birkdale could create another chapter.

For English golf fans, the wait has been a long one. But with a strong group of contenders, familiar surroundings and one of the sport’s greatest venues ready to hose the action, could this finally be the year the Claret Jug comes home?