American Scottie Scheffler will set out to end a British Open trend and become the first player ⁠to defend the title for 18 ⁠years at Royal Birkdale this week. Ireland’s Padraig Harrington ⁠was the last player to retain the Claret Jug in back-to-back years when he won at Carnoustie in 2007 and Birkdale in 2008, and the trend since then has favoured first-time winners. South African Ernie Els was the most recent repeat champion, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012, after winning his first in 2002...