PHIL'S SCANDAL & A BAKED-OUT BIRKDALE - July 14th, 2026

On July 14th, 2026, we preview a firm and fast 154th Open Championship overshadowed by Phil Mickelson's scandalous withdrawal, break down a radical 2028 PGA Tour overhaul, and recap major victories for Haeran Ryu and Zach Johnson.THE 154TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPRoyal Birkdale is playing incredibly fast and firm, rendering traditional target golf dead. Meanwhile, the tournament is reeling from Phil Mickelson’s shocking withdrawal following massive misconduct allegations, alongside Louis Oosthuizen bowing out with a back injury.Eamon Lynch called Phil's reputation "battered beyond recognition" after a Golf Digest report detailed Ashley Perez's resurfaced allegations, quoting Mickelson: "I am going to leave my bedroom door open tonight and when Pat falls asleep I want you to come see me."Former Morrisons delivery driver Joe Dean is the ultimate Cinderella story; after qualifying, he is roughing it ("I am sleeping in my car at the moment...") and plans to marry his caddie Emily next Tuesday because "it was cheaper."PGA TOUR OVERHAUL & PLAYER PREPBrian Rolapp proposed a radical 2028 PGA Tour restructure featuring a two-tier relegation system: a $20M, no-cut Championship tier and a Challenger Series. Meanwhile, players are desperately adjusting their bags for Birkdale's brutal, baked-out conditions.Rolapp defended the structural overhaul: "All the stuff we do is completely irrelevant if the game is not good and pure." On the course, Jordan Spieth warned that "five irons are running out to three hundred yards."Johnson Wagner is predicting a missed cut for Bryson DeChambeau, prompting Bryson to desperately test a new 60-degree wedge for Birkdale's soft sand, pleading, "Dude like I can not not have this..."LPGA & CHAMPIONS TOUR MAJORSHaeran Ryu captured the Amundi Evian Championship in a thrilling playoff over Brooke Henderson. Over on the Champions Tour, Zach Johnson secured his first senior major victory at the Kaulig Companies Championship.Ryu fired a historic 11-under 60 on Saturday to set up her win, calling her ultimate victory "just a dream..."Johnson's milestone major victory serves as a historic farewell, marking the final Champions Tour event to be held at the iconic Firestone Country Club.Quick HitsRory McIlroy is working to fix a left miss in the heavy coastal winds • Louis Oosthuizen officially withdraws from The Open with a back injury • Joe Dean shoots a 68 to survive the new Monday Last Chance Qualifier Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.