By admin 
The world’s best golfers have gathered at historic Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the final major of the season as the 2026 Open Championship takes center stage. Led by defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, the 156-player field faces one of golf’s toughest links tests, where wind, thick fescue and strategic shot-making can quickly separate contenders from pretenders.
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Royal Birkdale rewards precision over power, demanding elite ball-striking, patience and creativity around the greens. With a revamped layout adding even more emphasis on accuracy, these are the top DFS fantasy golf picks for the 2026 Open Championship.
This article reveals my favorite target at each price level on DraftKings. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
Rory McIlroy ($11,900)
McIlroy is exactly the superstar you want anchoring your DFS lineup. Fresh off another top-10 finish, the Masters champion heads to Royal Birkdale with one of the best Open Championship resumes in golf. He’s won the Claret Jug before, owns four top-10 finishes, including two top-fives, in his last 10 Opens and has already proven he can contend at Birkdale. If Rory’s driver stays hot, another Sunday charge feels more like an expectation than a possibility.
Xander Schauffele ($9,800)
Schauffele is as close to a DFS cheat code as it gets. The 2024 Open champion simply shows up in majors, racking up top finishes with incredible consistency. He’s finished inside the top 20 in six of his eight Open Championship starts and continues to live near the top of leaderboards. If you want a player with a sky-high floor, proven links success and legitimate win equity, Schauffele is one of the smartest lineup anchors you can make.
Collin Morikawa ($8,700)
Morikawa looks ready to make another run at the Claret Jug. The 2021 Open champion has his game trending in the right direction after a podium finish at the Travelers, and his elite iron play is tailor-made for Royal Birkdale. When conditions get tough, few players control their ball flight better than Morikawa. If you’re looking for a high-end DFS option with proven links success, he’s one of the smartest plays in the field.
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Robert MacIntyre ($8,000)
MacIntyre is peaking at exactly the right time. The Scotsman followed a T10 at the Travelers with a T3 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, and now heads into his favorite major full of confidence. He’s never missed the cut at The Open and already owns three top-10 finishes in the championship. If you’re hunting for a DFS play with momentum, proven links success and plenty of upside, MacIntyre is an easy click this week.
Russell Henley ($7,700)
Henley is the perfect DFS sleeper if you’re looking to save some salary without sacrificing upside. He’s one of the straightest drivers on TOUR, one of the best iron players in the game and built for a demanding layout like Royal Birkdale. After already contending at the Masters and winning earlier this season, Henley has proven he can hang with the best. Don’t be surprised if he’s quietly sitting near the top of the leaderboard all week.
Tom Kim ($6,800)
Kim is bringing all the good vibes to Royal Birkdale. After finishing third at the U.S. Open and then winning the Genesis Scottish Open, the 24-year-old is playing with swagger again. His elite scrambling, pinpoint iron play and newfound confidence make him a perfect fit for links golf. If Kim keeps this heater rolling, don’t be surprised if he’s chasing the Claret Jug deep into Sunday afternoon.
Rickie Fowler ($6,500)
Fowler looks like he’s found his game again, and that’s great news for DFS players. After shaking off a rough stretch, he’s posted back-to-back strong finishes while shooting every round under par. Links golf has always brought out Rickie’s best, and his Open Championship pedigree proves it. With proven success at Royal Birkdale and renewed confidence, Fowler is a sneaky value play who could easily outperform his price tag.
Jordan Smith ($6,100)
Smith is the kind of sleeper that can win you a DFS tournament. The Englishman is striking the ball beautifully, coming off another solid finish in Scotland, and his accuracy is a perfect match for Royal Birkdale. With several strong results on tougher courses this season and years of Open Championship experience under his belt, Smith is an easy value play who has the upside to surprise plenty of people this week.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM.