European Contenders Seek Open Glory as Record Crowds Gather at Royal Birkdale
The second round of the 154th Open begins at Royal Birkdale with record attendance, underscoring the enduring commercial value of major golf tournaments for UK broadcasters and local economies while European players mount a challenge to the defending champion.
The second round of the 154th Open commenced on Friday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Merseyside, with record-breaking crowds gathering for the final men’s major of the year. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler aims to become the first back-to-back winner since Padraig Harrington.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, seeking his second Open title to bookend his major season with victories, leads a prominent morning wave. He tees off at 10:09 am BST alongside Ryder Cup teammate Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele. Other notable European players in the morning session include Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai, and Nicolai Hojgaard.
Scheffler is scheduled for the afternoon wave, grouped with England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau at 15:04 BST. This high-profile pairing represents a critical test for European contenders aiming to disrupt the defending champion's momentum. Spain’s Jon Rahm also features in the late afternoon, teeing off at 15:15 BST with Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood.
The event reinforces the commercial stronghold of Sky Sports, which retains its position as the exclusive broadcaster of The Open in the UK and Ireland. Live coverage begins at 6:30 am on Sky Sports Golf, with additional featured groups and player focus feeds available on Sky Sports Plus and the network's application. This consolidated media rights strategy ensures maximum subscription value for the broadcaster.
The influx of spectators provides a measurable boost to the Merseyside regional economy. Record-breaking crowds gathered this week in Southport, driving direct revenue for local hospitality, transport, and retail sectors. Such major sporting events serve as reliable economic catalysts for host regions, offsetting broader market uncertainties.
Play continues until approximately 9:15 pm on Friday, with the top 70 players and ties advancing to the weekend. Extended television coverage will resume at 9:00 am on Saturday and 8:00 am on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf. This sustained broadcast window maintains the tournament's high visibility for corporate sponsors and media rights holders throughout the weekend.
