The 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale has seen some unexpected developments. Two of golf's biggest names, Matt Fitzpatrick and Wyndham Clark, failed to make the cut after the first two rounds. Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, and Clark, a pre-tournament favorite, were among several stars who will not be playing over the weekend. Meanwhile, a predictive model that has successfully forecasted 17 major championships ran 10,000 simulations of the final two rounds. The model identified several surprising picks that could challenge for the title. While the exact names were not disclosed, the analysis suggests that underdogs may have a strong chance at Royal Birkdale. The cut line left many fans surprised, as both Fitzpatrick and Clark were expected to contend. The tournament continues with the remaining players vying for the coveted Claret Jug. The model's predictions add an extra layer of intrigue to the final rounds. Golf enthusiasts are now watching to see if the model's bold projections come true. With several top contenders out, the field is wide open for a potential surprise winner at Royal Birkdale.