​As I write this, we are one day from the start of The Open Championship. This year’s event returns to Royal Birkdale in England, a course that has hosted The Open 10 previous times with Jordan Spieth winning the last one in 2017.The Open is one of my favorite events to watch as it is so different from most of the tournaments we see in the USA. Creativity and strategy become important on the links courses with the rolling terrain, big greens and uncertain weather conditions.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementImportanceNot only is The Open a major championship, but it is also the oldest. The Open dates back to 1860. The Open is loaded with history and will challenge the golfers on the course and in their heads. Along with the Claret Jug the winner’s trophy, the title of Champion Golfer of the Year comes along with the honor of winning the prestigious tournament.Winning The Open puts a golfer in a special group of previous winners like Harry Vardon (six wins), Tom Morris Jr. (four wins), Tiger Woods (three wins), Bobby Jones (three wins), Gary Player (three wins), Jack Nicklaus (four wins), Arnold Palmer (two wins), Ben Hogan and current players like Scottie Scheffler (defending champ), Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman, Cameron Smith, Colin Morikawa and Shane Lowry.FavoritesAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHeading into Thursday’s opening round, world No. 1 ranked Scheffler is the favorite to repeat as The Open Champion. A big key for Scheffler will be Round 1, a round that has plagued him this season.McIlroy is next in the betting circle to get his name back on the Claret Jug. He won The Open in 2014 and is the last individual from England to win the tournament.Rounding out the top 5 for favorites in the 2026 event is Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jon Rahm.UnderdogsEveryone likes an underdog. Remember back in 1995 when “grip it and rip it” John Daily took his style to The Open and etched him name in history.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFirst, I don’t think you can overlook Justin Rose. The Englishman can still play with the best in the world with his consistent play that make him a threat on the links course.I am also looking at Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland. I followed Hatton at the LIV tournament in Indianapolis for part of one round. Hatton is a competitor and very consistent with his game. He is second in greens hit in regulation and that will be key this week at Royal Birkdale.Hovland is described as calm and strategic. His ability to shape his shots has him on my underdog list.I couldn’t finish the underdog portion without mentioning Joe Dean. He is ranked 268 in the world and won a tournament last week to get an invitation to The Open. The former delivery driver is in the field with the best in the world.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe courseFans can head to theopen.com to get information on the course and each hole that will test the golfers. The course starts off with a tight tee shot