American Scottie Scheffler will aim to end the British Open streak and become the first player to defend the title in 18 years at Royal Birkdale this week.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington was the last player to retain the Claret Jug in previous years having won at Carnoustie in 2007 and Birkdale in 2008, and the trend since then has favored first-time winners.
South African Ernie Els was the most recent repeat champion, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012, after first winning in 2002 at Muirfield.
A number of players will be favored for a first-time winning streak, though, with No. 1 Scheffler and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy the favorites despite both coming with question marks over their form.
Scheffler produced the best form of links golf on the Antrim coast last year, with a four-stroke victory at Portrush to add a fourth mark to his collection.
The 30-year-old has not won since his debut this season and his preparations suffered a setback at the Scottish Open last week when he missed his first qualifier in four years.
