The Open 2026: Round 4 Updates from Royal Birkdale

The final round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club took place on July 19, 2026. Following the morning updates, Cameron Young started six shots off the lead. As the round progressed, Scottie Scheffler and Young surged amidst the leaderboard dynamics.

As of 9:00 AM EDT, Brody Miller reported on the pressure facing Tommy Fleetwood in his hometown of Southport, where he looked nervous approaching the first tee. His opening shot went wide into the rough, but he was expected to recover well.

In a notable moment, Scottie Scheffler gained momentum with a 4-foot birdie putt on the fifth hole, advancing to 7-under for the tournament, now three off the pace. His resurgence with the putter was a key element of his game as he attempted to capitalize on the leaders' positions.

Fleetwood’s preparation was highlighted with a unique rangefinder system, drawing cheers from the crowd. Meanwhile, Young aimed for consistency as he settled for a par on No. 7, remaining at 7-under for the tournament. Rory McIlroy also impressed early on, recording a birdie on No. 10, showcasing his talent despite being too far back to contend for the title.

The young talent Ludvig Åberg from Sweden began four shots behind the leader, Sam Burns, fulfilling a pattern of being within five of the leader during the final round of a major. Åberg's putting stroke had improved significantly, gaining strokes in six of his last seven rounds on tour.

Russell Henley put on an impressive display, marking the lowest round on the course at 5-under through twelve holes. His performance featured five birdies and a chip-in that illustrated his strong short game.

Bryson DeChambeau was another focal point as he prepared for his round amid significant media interest. Known for his unique style, he had remained out of the limelight for interviews throughout the tournament. As the day unfolded, it remained to be seen how he would finish after garnering both controversy and attention.

Fleetwood, while fighting for a victory against the odds, found himself five shots back. Historically, a few players had come from five or more down entering the final round to win majors recently, giving him a glimmer of hope. No Englishman had won The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, heightening the stakes in Fleetwood's narrative.