SHANK launches coverage of Senior Open at Gleneagles as Clarke, Langer and Els join field on the Kings Course this July

The Senior Open is Europe's only Senior Major, indeed it is the only Senior Major played somewhere other than the United States of America, but that is where the parallels with The Open end. The Senior Open has a long and proud history of visiting places which The Open does not, showcasing places by the sea and inland across these islands. Since launching in 1987 the championship has played on long-term Open Championship courses at Turnberry, Royal Lytham St Anne's, Royal Portrush, Royal Troon, Muirfield, Royal Birkdale, Carnoustie, and of course, here in St Andrews. It has also been played on classic links courses in South Wales at Royal Porthcawl, and in the North of Scotland at Royal Aberdeen, and prestigious inland courses at Sunningdale, and Walton Heath.

This July The Senior Open returns to Gleneagles for a second time, 4 years after Darren Clarke prevailed over a high class field on the Kings Course in sodden conditions on the Sunday, which brought a record heat-wave to a spectacular end. Clarke returns to Gleneagles this summer looking to win a second Senior Claret Jug. And fellow former ISPS HANDA Senior Open winner Bernhard Langer, and four-time Major winner Ernie Els are also confirmed for this year’s Championship, which is played from July 23-26.

The trio join defending champion Pádraig Harrington, who sealed his third Senior Major Championship at Sunningdale’s Old Course during the 2025 edition, to add to what promises to be a high-class field.

Clarke returns to Gleneagles having etched his name into the history books during the 2022 ISPS HANDA Senior Open, where his one-stroke victory saw the Northern Irishman become, at the time, only the fourth player to win both The Open and The Senior Open. Clarke’s Major triumph came at Royal St George’s in 2011, where he finished three strokes clear of American duo Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to become the first Northern Irishman to win The Open in more than 60 years.

Darren Clarke during the 2022 Senior Open at Gleneagles (Photo by Matt Hooper)

“I feel honoured to have won both The Open and The Senior Open and I’m very much looking forward to going back to Gleneagles this Summer,” said Clarke.

“The King’s Course at Gleneagles is a special golf course and will provide a true test. I’m looking forward to the challenge and feeding off those happy memories in Scotland again.”

Langer joins the 2026 field as the most decorated player in ISPS HANDA Senior Open history – he has won the event a record four times and his score of 18 under par, shot in 2014 at Royal Porthcawl, remains the tournament’s lowest. The German returns to Gleneagles eyeing a 13th Senior Major Championship title, having finished in 12th position the last time the Senior Open was held at the famed Perthshire venue.

Bernhard Langer during the 2022 Senior Open at Gleneagles (Photo by Matt Hooper)

“I’m proud to have won The Senior Open on four occasions and it’s an event I always look forward to playing in,” said the two-time Masters Tournament winner. “I’m still looking for more success and I can’t wait to return to Gleneagles later this year.”

Els, a four-time Major winner, will make his fourth Senior Open appearance in July. The South African, who is chasing his first Senior Open triumph, finished fifth in last year’s edition at Sunningdale and in a tie for third the last time the Championship visited Gleneagles. The 56-year-old was a stalwart of the International Presidents Cup side, making nine appearances, while also registering 27 DP World Tour victories and 19 wins on the PGA TOUR to go alongside his four Major triumphs.

Ernie Els during the 2022 Senior Open at Gleneagles (Photo by Matt Hooper)

“I’m really excited for this year’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open,” said Els. “Gleneagles is an incredible venue, and it would mean a lot to me to join an exclusive club of those who have won both The Open and The Senior Open. My game is in good shape, and I hope to carry that form into the Senior Open in July.”

This summer's ISPS HANDA Senior Open will be the fourth edition covered on site by SHANK since 2018, and the fourth tournament covered on site at Gleneagles following the 2013 Johnnie Walker Championship, 2019 Solheim Cup and 2022 Senior Open. SHANK's coverage of the 2026 ISPS HANDA Senior Open will include:

• Daily articles reporting on the championship on www.shank.golf

• Original features leading up to the championship on www.shank.golf

• Photographs and updates on Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky and Threads

• To be confirmed interviews

Coverage begins on Monday 20 July across www.shank.golf and the social media platform

SHANK, by Matt Hooper, with news on additions to field from ISPS HANDA Senior Open Communications