The buildup to the 154th Open Championship just got a headline act. The R&A has confirmed that reigning Champion Golfer of the Year Scottie Scheffler will headline a brand-new exhibition event — the inaugural Heroes Classic — at Royal Birkdale on Tuesday, July 14, just two days before the year’s final major gets underway on the Southport links.
What Happened
World number one Scheffler, 30, will officially return the Claret Jug at the event before joining a star-studded field for the new fan-focused showcase. The R&A designed the Heroes Classic to launch Open week in a more relaxed setting, giving spectators a closer look at some of the game’s biggest names.
“I’m really looking forward to being part of the first Heroes Classic,” said the four-time major champion. “It’s a great concept and a fun way to kick off the week at Royal Birkdale. It’s also going to be fun for the fans to experience that relaxed environment right before the main Championship gets underway.”
Scheffler will be joined by a lineup of major champions and Ryder Cup stars, including Jordan Spieth, Pádraig Harrington, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood — the Southport-raised favourite who will enjoy a genuine home crowd. The field also features AIG Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita, Women’s Amateur champion Paula Martín Sampedro, G4D Open champion Brendan Lawlor, and, in a nod to the crossover appeal, rugby great Bryan Habana.
The format is deliberately light: teams of three will play Royal Birkdale’s first, second and ninth holes in a Texas Scramble, where every player tees off and the team then plays each subsequent shot from the best available position. It’s a format built for entertainment and low scores rather than the brutal test the same course will present later in the week.
Why It Matters
Scheffler arrives at Birkdale as the man to beat. He captured his first Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in 2025, winning by four shots at 17 under par, and has spent the season entrenched at the top of the world rankings. Seeing him hand back the trophy and then tee it up in a fun exhibition is exactly the kind of accessible, personality-driven moment the R&A wants at the front of Open week.
“We are constantly looking for new ways to elevate the fan experience, and this showcase brings spectators closer to the game and the players they love,” said Chris Gabe, the R&A’s Director of Fan Experiences. The event is also framed as a celebration of the championship’s history and a platform for the governing body’s work to grow the sport globally.
The announcement lands amid a busy stretch of Open news. The field has been taking shape through Final Qualifying and a new last-chance route to Royal Birkdale, while there have been notable absentees too — including Phil Mickelson missing the Open for the first time in 36 years. Many contenders will sharpen up first at the Genesis Scottish Open, which doubles as the traditional links warm-up.
What This Means For You
If you’re planning to attend, note that general admission tickets for The Open are sold out; the remaining availability is limited to Hospitality Experiences, Ticket Plus packages and official Destination Packages. The Heroes Classic on July 14 is being positioned as one of the final ways for fans to be on-site during Championship week, so it’s worth checking official R&A channels for access details.
For the golfer in you, the exhibition is also a reminder of how useful the scramble format is for your own game. A Texas Scramble takes the pressure off every individual shot, making it the perfect way to introduce a beginner to competition or to enjoy a relaxed round with friends. And because Royal Birkdale is a classic links, expect the pros to be managing wind, firm turf and awkward stances all week — the same challenge every weekend player faces on undulating ground. If you struggle when the ball isn’t sitting flat, our guide on how to play uneven lies breaks down the adjustments that keep your strike clean.
Key Takeaways
- Scottie Scheffler will headline the inaugural Heroes Classic at Royal Birkdale on Tuesday, July 14, and will officially return the Claret Jug there.
- The fan-focused exhibition features Jordan Spieth, Pádraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Miyu Yamashita and more, playing a Texas Scramble over three holes.
- It launches the week of the 154th Open Championship, which runs July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale — the venue’s 11th time hosting.
- General admission is sold out; hospitality and package options remain.
- Scheffler defends the title he won at Royal Portrush in 2025.
Source: The R&A, via Golfmagic (July 2, 2026).
