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Open Championship 2026 keeps 6:40 p.m. Sunday finish even if England reaches World Cup final
R&A executives plan a 6:40 p.m. conclusion at Royal Birkdale on Sunday even if England reaches the World Cup final. They will decide after England's semifinal against Argentina.
Jul 16, 2:40 AM·1m read1 source
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Organizers of The Open Championship 2026 have no plans to change Sunday's schedule at Royal Birkdale if England reaches the World Cup final, ESPN reported. R&A chiefs are scheduling a 6:40 p.m. finish assuming no playoff is needed and believe the timing leaves room before the 8 p.m.
Kickoff. They will finalize the schedule after England's semifinal against Argentina is decided. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said the situation would be a welcome issue. "I'm an England football fan, so it would be a great problem to have," Darbon stated.
He added that the final putt is set for around 6:40 p.m. and that even a three-hole playoff would allow the championship to finish on time. The Open will not broadcast England versus Argentina at the venue on Wednesday evening.
Spectators who want to watch the semifinal must arrange to view it off-site. Around 300,000 spectators are expected at the Merseyside course across practice days and the tournament, which begins Thursday. The R&A introduced a new spectator code of conduct after recent incidents at other events.
Darbon said the organization can ask anyone who crosses the line to leave and that it has a duty to model proper conduct for players as well.
