The 154th Open Championship tees off at Royal Birkdale with David Howard’s debut and English contenders chasing a home winner

The 154th Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale with 156 players, including cystic fibrosis survivor David Howard, while no English golfer has won the event on home soil since 1969.

• David Howard, a 27-year-old mechanic with cystic fibrosis, qualified for the tournament by finishing joint second at the final qualifying event at Dundonald Links.
• Howard said he did not expect to live to age 27 and that he hopes his participation inspires others with the condition to pursue their dreams.
• Matt Fitzpatrick, who has won three PGA Tour events this year, said the Open is the final major of the season and that he will “give it a good push.”
• Tommy Fleetwood, who grew up near Royal Birkdale, is competing in his home Open as a world top‑10 player.

Latest developments

• Rory McIlroy said the sun-baked conditions at Royal Birkdale have burnt out the rough and significantly changed the course since his practice round weeks ago.
• Scottie Scheffler said he feels no pressure defending his Open Championship title at Royal Birkdale, joking that 'we're all going to die' when reflecting on his legacy.
• World number one Scottie Scheffler missed his first cut in 79 tournaments at last week's Scottish Open.