The Open Championship takes place July 17-20 at Royal Portrush in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Here’s a look at the full field and how they qualified based on the R&A’s order of exemption criteria (several players would have qualified via multiple categories; a = amateur).

Rory McIlroy enters The Open Championship in much better than form compared to the U.S. Open. The 2025 Masters champion rounded back into form with a tie for sixth at the Travelers Championship and a tie for second at the Scottish Open.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Rory McIlroy practically had Royal Portrush all to himself Monday morning, but not for long. By the time he finished his first practice round for the British Open — his first time back on these links in 2,187 days — there was a big crowd that weathered rain and sunshine to see him finish.

Rory McIlroy was younger and less seasoned mentally than he is now. He had no idea what to expect when he stepped to the first tee in the opening round of the 2019 British Open at Royal Portrush, a golf course in Northern Ireland located 60 miles from his boyhood home on which he set the course record as a 16-year-old.

The five-time Major winner has spoken of struggling for motivation following the completion of his career Grand Slam.