Scheffler’s slump, home hopes and a wedding at the Open

Scottie Scheffler arrives at Royal Birkdale off a rare missed cut as he defends the Open on a heat-stressed, redesigned links course. Rory McIlroy pursues a first home major, with English contenders like Aaron Rai, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose in the mix. The event also features feel-good amateur stories, including David Howard, plus a wedding subplot as Joe Dean—who earned the final spot—plans to marry his fiancée Emily Lyle, who will also caddie for him, all under a new crowd-conduct code to curb heckling.