Latest news with #HeroesClassic
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
British Open announces 'last-chance qualifier' ahead of 2026 tournament at Royal Birkdale
The R&A announced a series of changes coming to the British Open in 2026, perhaps none more exciting than a winner-take-all "last chance" qualifier. The Open Championship will be at Royal Birkdale in England next year, and this new qualifier will take place on the Monday of tournament week. You like Monday qualifiers, well, here ya go. The R&A, in a statement announcing several fan-centric initiatives, said that the qualifier will be held at Royal Birkdale: The Last-Chance Qualifier on Monday 13 July will generate drama and excitement for fans as up to 12 players chase their dream of playing in The Open by competing over 18 holes of the iconic Southport links to decide who earns the final place in the field ahead of the draw being announced. The R&A also announced the launch of the Heroes Classic in which several past Open champions and special guests will take part "in a short-format challenge" on Tuesday, July 14. Ahead of all this, on Sunday, July 12, 2026, the R&A will have fans gather in the spectator village where on several big screens will be the men's final of Wimbledon and the final round of the PGA Tour's Genesis Scottish Open. Many of the British Open participants compete in the Scottish Open. The R&A says many of these initiatives came about from a fan survey it conducted in which fans said they wanted "more opportunities to watch live golf, celebrate the Championship's unique traditions and enjoy activities which allow them to further engage with the sport onsite." How to get tickets to the 2026 British Open Fans interested in getting tickets to the Open need to first create a free account in the digital membership club dubbed One Club. Go to to do that. Ticket prices range from $40 (£30) for the Sunday, July 12, opening day to $205 (£150) for the Sunday final round in 2026. There were more than 1.2 million ticket applications filed last year for the 2025 Open. Ticket applications for the 2026 Open Championship can be submitted until July 25, 2025.
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
R&A to host 'last-chance qualifier' on-site at 2026 Open Championship
The R&A announced Monday that, beginning next year, it will host a qualifier for the final spot in the Open Championship field on-site at Royal Birkdale. Responding to a fan survey that said it wanted more live golf, the R&A will debut what it's calling a 'winner-takes-all Last-Chance Qualifier' on Monday of tournament week that will feature up to 12 players competing at Royal Birkdale for a shot to earn the last spot in the field of 156 players. The R&A will also host a Heroes Classic on Tuesday of tournament week that will feature a number of past championships and special guests. The last-chance shootout – similar to a Monday qualifier for regular PGA Tour events – is in addition to the other avenues into The Open. Final qualifying for this year's Open will be held Tuesday at four sites around the United Kingdom. 'We have asked (fans) how we can make their experience of attending The Open even more enjoyable and they have been clear – they want more live golf, more opportunities to engage with the traditions of golf's original championship, and more activities on-site to watch, listen and play,' said Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A. 'As a result, we have introduced new features which we believe will elevate The Open for fans, particularly on the days leading up to the championship, providing a memorable experience of attending Royal Birkdale with friends and family next year.'
Scotsman
a day ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
New qualifying event to be introduced for 154th Open at Royal Birkdale
Last-Chance Qualifier will be a winner-takes-all event on Monday of Open week Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A winner-takes-all Last-Chance Qualifier is being introduced by The R&A for next year's 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. Aimed at generating drama and excitement for fans, the event on the Monday of Open week will see up to 12 players compete over 18 holes for the final place in the field at the Southport venue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In addition, a Heroes Classic will also be held on the Tuesday, with past champions and special guests taking part in a short-format challenge. Royal Birkdale is staging The 154th Open next summer | The R&A The two additions, which have come from fans saying they'd like to more opportunities to watch live golf in the early part of Open week, were announced by the St Andrews-based organisation as the ticket ballot for next year's event opened on Monday. Mark Darbon, The R&A's Chief Executive, said: 'The Open is one of the world's great sporting events and recognised worldwide for the special atmosphere generated by the tens of thousands of fans who attend the Championship each year. 'We have asked them how we can make their experience of attending The Open even more enjoyable and they have been clear – they want more live golf, more opportunities to engage with the traditions of golf's original championship and more activities onsite to watch, listen and play. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aim is to 'elevate The Open for fans' in early part of week 'As a result, we have introduced new features which we believe will elevate The Open for fans, particularly on the days leading up to the championship, providing a memorable experience of attending Royal Birkdale with friends and family next year. 'The ticket ballot continues to be extremely popular with 1.2 million tickets applied for last year and we are anticipating high demand again. We would encourage all fans wanting to secure their place at The 154th Open to submit their application before the ballot closes on 25 July.' The ticket ballot is available exclusively to members of One Club , the free-to-join digital membership programme presented by Mastercard, and ticket applications can be submitted from now until 25 July. Ticket prices for The 154th Open will start from £30 for an adult on the opening Sunday rising throughout the week of the championship to £150 for the final round. Jug. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Free tickets will be available to children through the successful 'Kids go Free' programme, while half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24-year-olds. These tickets must also be applied for using the ticket ballot.
