This summer’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale could be forced into a schedule change with organsiers admitting they want to avoid clashing with the World Cup final on the same day
The Open could clash with the World Cup final – especially if there’s a play-off
The R&A could rejig their plans for the conclusion of the The Open Championship to avoid a potential clash with the World Cup final.
Scottie Scheffler will defend the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale this summer with the final round on Sunday July 19, the same date the football tournament reaches its spectacular end at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Sports fans are relishing the prospect of the perfect day of armchair viewing – but it could provide Open organisers with a headache. Scheffler started his fourth round at Royal Portrush at 2.25pm 12 months ago and was still conducting his celebratory press conference at 8pm, the same time the World Cup final will kick off this year.
A play-off at Birkdale, where a record 300,000 spectators are expected during the championship, could see the two events overlapping and the R&A losing a huge chunk of their viewers, particularly if England progress that far.
When asked about the prospect of moving the final round tee-times earlier, chief executive Mark Darbon said: “We’re obviously conscious of other events happening on that date. As we approach the championship, we’ll ensure we try and avoid that clash wherever possible.
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“Of course, some things are out of our control in terms of playoffs and the like, but we will attempt to avoid a clash. I think we’re all looking forward to an England-Scotland final, so let’s see how that plays out.”
The R&A have also confirmed the Open will return to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028 after a 16-year absence. Ernie Els was the last winner at the Lancashire course in 2012 and Darbon is excited to be taking the event back there after overcoming a number of hurdles.
He said: “Lytham is a wonderful golf course. There’s been a series of changes that have taken place over the last few years there, which I think both we and the club feel have continued to elevate that golfing experience.
“It’s not the easiest of our sites to operate. So we have to be thoughtful about how we manage everything that goes with a modern Open Championship there.”
