The 154th Open Championship
The 154th Open Championship entered its third round at Royal Birkdale on Saturday, July 18, with Lucas Herbert holding a two-shot lead over Jackson Suber, who will join him in the final pairing at 10:50 a.m. ET. The drama of the week continued as Bryson DeChambeau, who surged into contention with a strong Round 2, faced a two-shot penalty for improving his lie on the 5th hole, dropping him to five under par and three shots off the lead.
Third Round Tee Times at Royal Birkdale
The third round tee times at Royal Birkdale featured a mix of high-profile players, with the final group of Herbert and Suber set to start at 10:50 a.m. ET. Other notable pairings included Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood, who opened at 9:35 a.m. ET, and Scottie Scheffler, who teed off with Francesco Molinari at 9:45 a.m. ET. Additional groups included Min Woo Lee, Jack McDonald, Russell Henley, and others, with tee times beginning as early as 4:10 a.m. ET, according to the PGA Tour leaderboard.
Featured groups for the round were broadcast on Peacock, with coverage beginning at 5:18 a.m. ET. ET, while Peacock provided live simulcasts and additional coverage of key pairings. ET, with Peacock offering additional coverage.
Bryson DeChambeau’s Penalty
DeChambeau’s two-shot penalty, assessed after a rules review following his Round 2 performance, sparked significant debate. The penalty, which increased his score from 66 to 68, pushed him to five under par and three shots behind Herbert. The two-time U.S. DeChambeau was scheduled to begin his third round alongside Sam Burns, as noted in source material. DeChambeau’s agent said the player was threatening to withdraw from the tournament over the penalty.
The cut line saw several high-profile players, including Wyndham Clark, Jason Day, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Matt Fitzpatrick, fall short, while others like Sam Burns and Lucas Herbert continued to shine. Burns, who shot a record-tying 62 in Round 2, remained a key figure in the competition. Other notable performances included Jack McDonald’s eagle, Scottie Scheffler’s long birdie putt, and Jackson Suber’s 233-yard approach for eagle. Rory McIlroy, who struggled in the first round, made a strong comeback, positioning himself for a potential charge in the final 18 holes.
Royal Birkdale
The 154th Open Championship, which began on Thursday, July 16, and runs through Sunday, July 19, 2026, is being held at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. The course, hosting the competition for the 11th time, has undergone modifications to every hole this year. The tournament features 156 golfers, including defending champion Scottie Scheffler, with the field slimmed to 78 players after the cut.
DeChambeau’s penalty came after an intense debate with rules officials following his Round 2 performance. The two-time U.S. This decision altered his position in the standings, dropping him to five under par.
The third round’s outcome will set the stage for a thrilling final day, with Herbert’s lead and DeChambeau’s resilience under the spotlight. As the tournament progresses, the focus will remain on how these players navigate the challenges of Royal Birkdale and the pressure of the Open Championship. The final round will be a critical test of skill, strategy, and composure, with the leaderboard poised for dramatic shifts.
Lucas Herbert’s Lead
Source material also details the exact standings, with Lucas Herbert at -8, Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard at -6, and Jackson Suber at -6. Other players in contention include Sam Burns at -5, Bryson DeChambeau at -5, and Scottie Scheffler at -4. The third round’s tee times and groupings were meticulously organized, with specific times and pairings listed for all 78 remaining players.
The Open Championship, the final major of the season, carries significant implications for players’ careers and playoff seeding. With the tournament’s format and rules strictly enforced, each shot and decision can dramatically impact a player’s standing. The 154th Open, marked by intense competition and dramatic moments, continues to captivate fans and players alike as it heads into its decisive final day.
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