Scheffler's Wild 17th at Royal Birkdale: A Near Miss for the Claret Jug in 2026

The 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale delivered significant late-round drama, reminiscent of Jordan Spieth's memorable run to the Claret Jug at the same venue in 2017. This time, the spotlight fell on Scottie Scheffler during Sunday's final round. Arriving at the par-5 17th, Scheffler needed a birdie to match Cameron Young's leading score of nine under par, placing immense pressure on his approach.

Scheffler's tee shot on the 17th veered left, landing in a difficult lie behind a large mound, obstructing his view of the green. His frustration was evident, exclaiming about the unexpected slice. Opting for an aggressive play with a fairway metal on his second shot, the ball again pulled left, settling behind a hospitality structure in a dense patch of fescue. Anticipating the ball might be lost, Scheffler hit a provisional.

However, Scheffler received a significant stroke of luck when his original ball was located. This unexpected find, described by some as the biggest break of the week, allowed him to continue his pursuit without incurring a penalty stroke from the provisional. Despite the fortunate discovery, Scheffler's efforts ultimately proved insufficient to secure the birdie he needed to tie the lead.

While Scheffler, currently priced at +460 (FanDuel), mounted a strong challenge, he was unable to defend his Claret Jug, coming up just short of the championship. Cameron Young, whose clubhouse lead Scheffler was chasing, holds a current market price of +250000 (Bovada). Jordan Spieth, known for his 2017 Birkdale triumph, is currently listed at +100000 (Bovada).

The tournament also saw other notable discussions, including comments from Rory McIlroy, currently available at +750 (FanDuel), regarding Bryson DeChambeau, who is priced at +2200 (FanDuel). McIlroy reportedly characterized some of DeChambeau's actions as performative and deserving of a penalty.