The final men’s major of the 2026 season has arrived as the best players in the world descend on Royal Birkdale this week for the 154th playing of the Open Championship. It’s also the final time this year that the best of the PGA Tour and the best from LIV Golf will share the same field before LIV Golf enters an uncertain future.
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau headline the LIV Golf members who will tee it up at Royal Birkdale. But several other former major champions are not in the field, including Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia. Johnson was scheduled to take part in Final Open Qualifying but withdrew at the last minute. This will be the first Open Championship Johnson hasn’t played since his debut in 2009. It also snaps a streak of 38 consecutive majors with Johnson in the field. Garcia tried to make it through Final Qualifying but came up short, ultimately blaming some sketchy lasagna he had for lunch for his poor second round.
Phil Mickelson is also not in the field, as he continues to take time away from professional golf to address a personal family health matter. Mickelson has also been under scrutiny for his personal conduct, which, according to a Golf Digest report, included being kicked out of a San Diego-area club after a female employee accused him of making nonconsensual, inappropriate contact with her before a round.
This will be the first time in Mickelson’s professional career that he has not played in all four majors. He last missed the Open in 2009 when his wife, Amy, was undergoing cancer treatment.
Last year at Royal Portrush, 19 LIV Golf members competed for the Claret Jug. This year there are 16. Here’s who they are — and how they qualified for the Open Championship.
OWGR: 37
How he qualified: Won 2024 U.S. Open, finished top 10 at 2025 Open Championship and inside top 50 in OWGR
Best Open finish: T8 (2022)
OWGR: 11
How he qualified: Won 2023 Masters and inside top 50 in OWGR
Best Open finish: T2 (2023)
OWGR: 22
How he qualified: Top 25 in final 2025 Race To Dubai Standings and inside top 50 in OWGR
Best Open finish: T5 (2016)
OWGR: 48
How he qualified: First players and ties, not already exempt, in 2026 LIV Golf standings after LIV Andalucia
Best Open finish: T53 (2022)
OWGR: 66
How he qualified: World rankings reserve list (among highest outside top 50 on July 6)
Best Open finish: CUT (2024, only appearance)
OWGR: 80
How he qualified: World rankings reserve list (among highest outside top 50 on July 6)
Best Open finish: T13 (2023)
OWGR: 140
How he qualified: Won 2022 Open Championship
Best Open finish: Win (2022)
OWGR: 419
How he qualified: Won 2010 Open Championship
Best Open Finish: Win (2010)
OWGR: 97
How he qualified: Open Qualifying Series (runner-up at New Zealand Open)
Best Open finish: T15 (2022)
OWGR: 135
How he qualified: Open Qualifying Series (won Hong Kong Open)
Best Open finish: T66 (2024)
OWGR: 132
How he qualified: Final Qualifying
Best Open finish: CUT (2023, only appearance)
OWGR: 189
How he qualified: Final Qualifying
Best Open finish: T44 (2017)
OWGR: 293
How he qualified: Final Qualifying
Best Open finish: N/A (2026 will be first Open appearance)
OWGR: 143
How he qualified: Top 25 players in final 2025 Race To Dubai standings
Best Open finish: T17 (2023)
OWGR: 152
How he qualified: Top five on OWGR’s International Federation Ranking List
Best Open finish: CUT (2022, only appearance)
OWGR: 163
How he qualified: Top three at the Scottish Open who are not already exempt
Best Open finish: T34 (2022)
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