Power rankings for The Open Championship: Scottie Scheffler not No. 1

The best golfers in the world travel to Southport, England, this week for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Looking ahead to the fourth and final major championship of the year, let's power rank the top 10 players in the field. 

10. Tom Kim

Kim wouldn't have been anywhere near this list just a few weeks ago, but he's turned his season around with a solo third at the U.S. Open and a win at last week's Genesis Scottish Open. The 24-year-old enters The Open Championship with a ton of confidence and the perfect skill set for Royal Birkdale. 

9. Collin Morikawa

Morikawa won his Open Championship debut at Royal St. George's, a course similar to Royal Birkdale. His accuracy off the tee and red-hot putter will suit him well on a course that demands straight drives and a strong short game. 

8. Xander Schauffele

Schauffele isn't in good form right now, but he has a win and three top-17 finishes in his last four Open Championship starts. Count the veteran out at your own risk. 

7. Jon Rahm

It's hard to tell where Rahm's game is at the moment. The Spaniard finished runner-up at the PGA Championship, but he missed the cut at the U.S. Open and barely made the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open recently. The inconsistency is concerning, but Rahm can win if his A-game shows up this week. 

6. Chris Gotterup

Gotterup's game is built for links golf, as evidenced by his win at the Genesis Scottish Open and his solo third in his Open Championship debut last year. The American loves flighting the ball down and playing in the wind, and he's coming off a win and a T11 in his two starts leading in. 

5. Wyndham Clark

All Clark has done over the last two months is win two tournaments (including the U.S. Open) and finish third, T11, T5 and T13 in his other four starts. He deserves to be this high based on his fantastic form and major pedigree. 

4. Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood grew up in the shadows of Royal Birkdale, so he knows the course better than anyone. The Southport native also has five straight top-15 finishes in which he's gained strokes from off the tee and on approach.

3. Rory McIlroy