Add The New York Post on Google SOUTHPORT, England — As important as the British Open is to the 21 English players in the field this week at Royal Birkdale, there will be a bit of distraction from the golf Wednesday night for many of them.
England plays Argentina in the World Cup semifinal, and the match will be televised at 8 p.m. local time Wednesday, leaving many of the English players hoping for late tee times for Thursday’s opening round.
Tommy Fleetwood, who grew up minutes from Royal Birkdale, where the Open is being played, was asked about the dream possibility of winning the Open Sunday, the same day England would play the World Cup final if it defeats Argentina Wednesday.
“That would be a great day,” Fleetwood said. “I’d rather tee off late on Sunday [meaning he’s near the lead] for sure. I’ll start with that.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood during practice on Tuesday. REUTERS “Yeah, the lads have been doing great,” he said of the English side. “It’s been great to watch. The World Cup’s not easy. For those guys, they definitely carry a nation on their shoulders a lot more than we do. They’ve been doing a great job, and it’s great to have them in the semifinals again. We’re a great team, so it’s great to watch and great to have that positive hope.
“I know a few of the lads. I think they know that we’re supporting. It’s great to support individuals as well as the team. It’s a nice feeling and nice to watch their success along the way.”
Several of the English players, including Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, had been hoping for later tee times so they could stay up and watch the England match.
“I was kind of hoping for a later tee time,” Rose said.
“If anyone’s listening, it would be nice if all the English lads were late-early,” Fitzpatrick said of first- and second-round tee times Thursday and Friday.
Harry Kane of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium. Getty Images Two of the players didn’t get their wish. Rose is teeing off at 9:36 a.m. Thursday and Fleetwood at 10:09 a.m. Fitzpatrick, however, drew a 3:15 p.m. tee time Thursday.
“Actually, 9:36 isn’t too bad unless England … actually, I’d take a win on penalties if it happened, but obviously we’re looking for a short, sharp match and a reasonable bedtime,’’ Rose said. “Obviously, we’re going to be watching. But at the same time, I’m going to watch it with an eye on what’s important for me as well and not get too high and low and keep my own emotions in check.
“We’ve got big things as well to do this week, but at the same time it’s a match where if you think that you’re not going to watch it, you’re probably kidding yourself. I’ll be rooting the boys on, but at the same time, trying to make sure I’m able to sort of rest up pretty soon after the match.’’
No Englishman has won a British Open in England since Tony Jacklin in 1969. Since Jacklin, only one Englishman has won the Open: Nick Faldo, who did it three times (1987, ’90 and ’92), all in Scotland.
And England hasn’t won a World Cup since 1966.
The thought of an Englishman winning the Open and, a short time later Sunday, England winning the World Cup is utterly tantalizing for the locals.
“It would be mega,” said Matt Wallace, one of 21 English players in the field.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said should England make the final, the final round of the Open could be moved earlier to avoid an overlap with the World Cup final, which begins at 8 p.m. local time.
