The 2026 Open Championship is set to continue on Friday with an intriguing lineup of players and tee times at Royal Birkdale. The second round promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with a surprising early leader in Jackson Suber, who shared the lead at 5 under after a stellar first round. Suber's early tee time of 2:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. local) could be a strategic advantage, allowing him to extend his lead if he maintains his hot streak. However, the early morning start also means he'll have a short night's rest, which might test his nerves.
The early morning wave features some notable players, including Cameron Young (-3), who will tee off at 4:58 a.m. alongside Wyndham Clark (+3) and Ludvig Åberg (+1). These players will need to perform well to secure a weekend tee time. The group behind them, starting at 5:09 a.m., includes tournament favorites Rory McIlroy (+2), Matt Fitzpatrick (+2), and Xander Schauffele (+1), who will be battling to make the cut.
As the day progresses, the later wave will see some of the top contenders, such as Bryson DeChambeau (-3), Scottie Scheffler (-2), and Tyrrell Hatton (-1), taking on the likely tougher afternoon conditions. These players, along with Tommy Fleetwood (-1), Jon Rahm (-1), and Jordan Spieth (+3), will be looking to climb the leaderboard and secure their spots in the weekend rounds.
The complete schedule of tee times and groupings for Friday's second round at Royal Birkdale is provided below, offering a comprehensive overview of the day's proceedings. With such a competitive field and varying tee times, the 2026 Open Championship is shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable event, keeping golf enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
