Quick Summary: The R&A is introducing a brand-new showcase event called the Heroes Classic on Tuesday, 14 July at Royal Birkdale, two days before the start of The 154th Open. Major champion Scottie Scheffler headlines a star-studded field that features past Birkdale champions Padraig Harrington and Jordan Spieth, playing in a relaxed three-hole Texas Scramble format. With standard tournament days completely sold out, securing practice day tickets for the Heroes Classic represents the last realistic route for fans to experience Birkdale this summer.
A Dynamic Pre-Championship Showcase: The Concept of the Heroes Classic
The R&A is shaking up its traditional championship week preparation. Debuting at The 154th Open, the new showcase exhibition named the **Heroes Classic** will take place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 at the historic Royal Birkdale links. Operating as a pre-championship curtain-raiser, this event is designed to transform practice days into highly engaging spectator experiences. Instead of players simply walking the fairways in quiet practice groups, the Heroes Classic introduces a fast-paced, entertaining Texas Scramble format played over just three select holes: the 1st, 2nd, and 9th.
The implementation of this exhibition follows detailed fan surveys conducted by the R&A. Spectators consistently voiced a desire for more competitive action, a deeper connection to historical traditions, and a livelier atmosphere in the days leading up to the main event. By creating the Heroes Classic—alongside a new Last-Chance Qualifier on Monday—the R&A is successfully evolving practice rounds into premium spectacles. Rather than observing quiet range sessions, fans holding early-week tickets now gain entry to two official, structured showcases.
The Return of the Claret Jug: Scottie Scheffler Royal Birkdale Spotlight
World No. 1 and reigning Champion Golfer of the Year, Scottie Scheffler, headlines the inaugural field. This exhibition serves a special ceremonial purpose for Scheffler, who won the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush by an impressive four strokes. Right before he tees off in the event, he will formally hand back the iconic Claret Jug to the R&A. While this trophy return is a longstanding start-of-week ritual, the new format elevates it into a formal public ceremony on a grand stage directly in front of the gallery.
Scheffler has expressed strong enthusiasm for the format, noting that it provides a relaxed yet spirited environment for both players and spectators. For the world's top-ranked golfer, the three-hole scramble offers a gentle entry into a high-pressure week where he will seek to defend his title back-to-back. For golf enthusiasts, it offers an unprecedented opportunity to observe Scheffler playing with his guard down, showing a more personal, relaxed side of his character before the intense championship matches commence.
Southport Legends and Celebrity Teams: The Star-Studded Scramble Field
The field is explicitly curated to highlight compelling storylines rather than strictly following world rankings. The tournament brings back two of Royal Birkdale's most famous modern champions: Jordan Spieth, who captured a dramatic victory here in 2017, and Padraig Harrington, who successfully defended his Claret Jug on these exact links in 2008. The inclusion of local Southport favorite Tommy Fleetwood—who famously grew up sneaking onto the Birkdale links as a child—and Ryder Cup veteran Justin Rose ensures massive support from the local Merseyside galleries.
Adding to the entertainment, the tournament features unique cross-discipline teams. Reigning AIG Women's Open champion Miyu Yamashita and G4D Open champion Brendan Lawlor will tee it up alongside stars from outside the golf world, including Hollywood actress Kathryn Newton and rugby World Cup winner Bryan Habana. Mixing major champions, disability golf pioneers, and international celebrities in a quick-fire three-hole exhibition represents a bold, innovative step for the historically conservative R&A, providing fans with a unique and memorable golf experience.
Spectator-First Design: How to Secure the Remaining The Open Practice Day Tickets
The structure of the Heroes Classic is built entirely with the spectator in mind. Competing over just three holes means the crowd is concentrated in central viewing areas rather than dispersed across a vast links layout, allowing fans to follow the entire event without long walks. The Texas Scramble format—where all three players tee off, choose the best shot, and play from that spot—ensures that everyone remains competitive, allowing the celebrity participants to play relaxed golf without the pressure of grinding out scores from Birkdale's penal rough.
The practical news for fans is that while all four Championship days (Thursday through Sunday) are completely sold out via the R&A's ticket ballot, a limited number of **The Open practice day tickets** remain available. These tickets cover both the new Last-Chance Qualifier on Monday, 13 July, and the star-studded Heroes Classic on Tuesday, 14 July. With secondary market tickets for the tournament days unavailable at the gates, these practice day passes represent the final affordable path onto the historic grounds of Royal Birkdale for the general public.
The Raw Read: A Clever Innovation in Golf's Major Championship Landscape
The R&A deserves praise for listening to fan feedback and moving quickly to modernize the major championship experience. Blending a ceremonial trophy return, the world's best player in a relaxed setting, and Southport hero Tommy Fleetwood on his home turf is a highly creative approach to golf marketing. It turns what was previously a quiet warm-up day into a true festival.
The only realistic caveat is that the Heroes Classic remains a light exhibition, not a major championship battle. Those expecting intense, grinding tournament golf will need to wait for Thursday's opening round. However, that misses the point of the day. The event is designed to bring families, first-timers, and passionate golf fans closer to their heroes in an accessible, interactive format. If this inaugural showcase at Royal Birkdale proves successful, expect to see the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and golf events worldwide quickly adopting the concept.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Heroes Classic at The Open?
The Heroes Classic is a new three-hole showcase exhibition played on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 at Royal Birkdale, featuring teams of three competing in a Texas Scramble format.
Who is playing in the Heroes Classic?
Scottie Scheffler headlines the field, joined by past Birkdale champions Jordan Spieth and Padraig Harrington, Southport local Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Miyu Yamashita, Brendan Lawlor, actress Kathryn Newton, and rugby legend Bryan Habana.
Why is Scottie Scheffler returning the Claret Jug?
As the winner of the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Scheffler must return the trophy to the R&A at the start of Open week. The R&A is using the Heroes Classic as a public stage for this traditional ceremony.
Are tickets still available for the event?
While Championship days are completely sold out, a limited number of practice day tickets remain available. These tickets grant access to the Heroes Classic on Tuesday, 14 July, and the Last-Chance Qualifier on Monday, 13 July.
When and where is The 154th Open being played?
The 154th Open Championship will take place from 16 to 19 July 2026 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.