The 1996 Senior British Open was a professional golf tournament for players aged 50 and above and the tenth British Senior Open Championship, held from 25 to 28 July at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

[1] In 2018, the tournament was, as all Senior British Open Championships played 1987–2002, retroactively recognized as a senior major golf championship and a PGA Tour Champions (at the time named the Senior PGA Tour) event.

[2][3] Brian Barnes won by three strokes over Bob Charles and David Oakley to successfully defend his title from 1995 and win his second Senior British Open title and senior major championship victory.

The event was the second Senior Open Championship in a row held at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Seven past Senior British Open champions participated.