Scottie Scheffler to Headline Inaugural Heroes Classic at Royal Birkdale

Champion Golfer Scottie Scheffler will headline a star-studded field for theinaugural Heroes Classic, which is taking place on Tuesday 14 July during The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.

Ahead of the Heroes Classic, Scheffler will officially return the Claret Jug before teeing off in the event. As the complete line-up is revealed, this also marks thefinal opportunity for fans to secure ticketsto witness the world’s greatest golfers compete in golf’s original Championship.   

Speaking ahead of the event, Scottie Scheffler said, "I’m really looking forward to being part of the first Heroes Classic. 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."

The Heroes Classic offers a fantastic way for golf fans to get up close and personal with some of the world’s best players, amateurs, and high-profile R&A Ambassadors in a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. The showcase event honours golf's greatest heroes while highlighting The R&A’s ongoing work to develop and promote golf globally. 

A roster of global stars will be joining Scheffler on the iconic links including Champion Golfers at Royal Birkdale Jordan Spieth and Pádraig Harrington, AIG Women's Open Champion Miyu Yamashita, past Women’s Amateur Champion Paula Martín Sampedro and G4D Open Champion Brendan Lawlor. European Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood will also tee it up alongside high-profile figures from sports and entertainment, including rugby legend Bryan Habana.

The Heroes Classic will be contested in teams of three players over the 1st, 2nd and 9th holes at Royal Birkdale. A Texas Scramble format will be used with a scoring incentive to ensure each participant gets to hit as many shots as possible, creating team unity and enabling friendly competition.

Chris Gabe, Director of Fan Experiences at The R&A, said, “With the spectacular line-up for the Heroes Classic now confirmed, excitement for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale continues to grow. 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. We know how much fans value feeling connected to the action in a fun, accessible environment, and the Heroes Classic delivers exactly that. It is going to be an unforgettable week of golf.”

For those looking to attend the Championship days, The Open general admission tickets are now completely sold out through the ballot process and tickets will not be available to purchase at the gate. The last chance to guarantee a place during the main Championship, is through the limited remaining places in Hospitality Experiences, Ticket Plus, or official Destination Packages.

Royal Birkdale will host The Open for the eleventh time in 2026. The world-renowned links, situated on the coast of North West England, has a storied history of delivering dramatic finishes. In 2017 Jordan Spieth claimed his third Major title in a thrilling duel, while the course has previously seen Pádraig Harrington successfully defend his title in 2008 and the legendary Tom Watson lift his fifth and final Claret Jug.

For more information on Heroes Classic tickets and the remaining Ticket Plus, Hospitality, and Destination Packages for the Championship, please visitTheOpen.com. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to avoid disappointment as these final allocations are strictly limited.pic R&A