Monday brought golf’s two biggest storylines to a head on the same afternoon: a PGA Tour title decided in a playoff in Kentucky, and the final piece of The Open’s jigsaw slotting into place at Royal Birkdale. By the time the sun set on Louisville, Steven Fisk had his second Tour win; by the time it set on Southport, Joe Dean had gone from delivery driver to Open Championship contestant, and the tee sheet for Thursday’s first round was finally public.
It is remarkable how fast a summer Monday can move. Fisk and Taylor Pendrith needed three extra holes and a recut 18th green to settle the ISCO Championship, while 200 miles north at Royal Birkdale a 12-man shootout for a single Open place went to the very last putt. Add in confirmation of Rory McIlroy’s tee time and Scottie Scheffler’s bid to become the first back-to-back Open champion since Padraig Harrington, and it leaves one question hanging over the build-up to Royal Birkdale: with the world number one and the Masters champion both drawn to play their part, who is actually the favourite to lift the Claret Jug this week?
How Did The ISCO Championship Finish?
Steven Fisk beat Taylor Pendrith in a playoff at Hurstbourne Country Club, the pair having finished regulation tied at 16-under 264 before Fisk closed it out with a two-putt par on the third extra trip down the 18th. It is Fisk’s second PGA Tour title, worth $720,000 and 300 FedExCup points. The story behind the story belonged to Aaron Wise, whose run to contention capped a two-year battle back into form that Read Golf charted in full on Monday.
Who Won The Open’s Last-Chance Qualifier?
Joe Dean, the former Morrisons delivery driver turned DP World Tour pro, won the inaugural Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale with a two-under 68, an eagle at the par-5 14th proving decisive. England’s Andrew Wilson finished a shot back in second, with South African Aldrich Potgieter third at level par. Read Golf followed the tension of the 12-man shootout as it unfolded in its Last-Chance Qualifier preview and reaction.
What Do We Know About The Open Field At Royal Birkdale?
With Dean’s win, the 156-man field for the 154th Open is complete. Read Golf’s full field, favourites and storylines guide, published Monday, runs through every contender heading to Southport, from Scheffler’s title defence to the LIV Golf contingent led by Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
When Do McIlroy And Scheffler Tee Off On Day One?
Round one tee times, released by the R&A on Monday, confirmed Rory McIlroy will play the marquee 3.15pm slot alongside Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, while Scottie Scheffler tees off at 9.58am with Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton as he chases back-to-back Claret Jugs. Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin has the honour of hitting the Championship’s first shot at 6.35am on Thursday.
What’s Next For The Women’s Game After The Evian Championship?
The women’s major season is still settling after Haeran Ryu’s playoff win over Brooke Henderson at the Amundi Evian Championship on Sunday, Ryu’s second major in as many months. Attention on the LPGA and Ladies European Tour now turns to the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, which starts 30 July — completing a five-week stretch bridging Evian and the men’s final major of the year.
Monday 13 July At A Glance
| Event | Headline result | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| ISCO Championship | Steven Fisk won on 3rd playoff hole | Beat Taylor Pendrith; 16-under 264 in regulation; 2nd Tour title |
| Open Last-Chance Qualifier | Joe Dean won by one shot | Two-under 68; Andrew Wilson 2nd, Aldrich Potgieter 3rd |
| Open Championship field | 156-man field confirmed | 154th Open, Royal Birkdale, 16-19 July |
| Open Championship R1 tee times | Released by the R&A | Baldwin out first (6.35am); Scheffler 9.58am; McIlroy 3.15pm |
Golf Talking Points: Quick Facts
Who won the 2026 ISCO Championship? Steven Fisk, beating Taylor Pendrith in a playoff on 13 July 2026 at Hurstbourne Country Club.
Who claimed the final spot in The Open field? Joe Dean, via the first-ever Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale, confirmed 13 July 2026.
When does The Open 2026 start? Thursday 16 July at Royal Birkdale, Southport, running through Sunday 19 July.
What time do McIlroy and Scheffler tee off on day one? As of 13 July 2026, McIlroy is out at 3.15pm and Scheffler at 9.58am (both BST).
Who won the most recent women’s major? Haeran Ryu, beating Brooke Henderson in a playoff at the Evian Championship on 12 July 2026 — her second major of the year.
