Royal Birkdale prepares for The Open
The Royal Birkdale course is set to provide a significant challenge for golfers at The Open 2026, with firm and fast conditions headlining the initial days of the tournament week. These conditions are expected to alter strategy for many players aiming to lift the Claret Jug. Andrew Coltart of Sky Sports Golf noted that the course will be “unbelievably firm,” suggesting that big hitters will need to be cautious as their golf balls could run through fairways into thick rough. He anticipates that a “short and smart off the tee” approach will be effective.
The dry weather, sun, and wind have contributed to the course’s firm state, leading to what some describe as a “burnt out” appearance. This dryness means the rough, which was more penal weeks prior, is now less so. Players like Justin Rose are adjusting their equipment, with Rose opting for a 2-, 3-, and 4-iron, meaning he will remove his usual 7-wood and one wedge from his bag. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will carry a 3-iron but make no other changes, highlighting the increased mental challenge posed by the course’s firmness.
Scheffler commented on the ball’s extended roll and the tight fairways, which, combined with crosswinds, make holding the fairways difficult due to their speed and firmness. He noted that the conditions introduce more strategic decisions off the tee, with players weighing whether to use a driver and potentially play from the rough or use irons for more accurate fairway placement but longer approach shots. This firmness, he believes, significantly increases the challenges for players in controlling their ball and anticipating its trajectory, potentially leading to unusual bounces.
Course modifications and player perspectives
Royal Birkdale has undergone several modifications since it last hosted The Open in 2017. These changes include an altered 5th hole, now a risk-reward drivable par-4, an elevated green at the par-3 7th, and adjustments to a cluster of holes on the back nine, specifically the 13th, 14th, and a new par-3 15th.
Rory McIlroy, a two-time defending Masters champion, expressed his excitement for what he believes will be a classic Open Championship. While he acknowledges some of the new greens might seem “unnatural” due to runoffs and mounding, he sees these as creating a good challenge and offering players various options around the green, such as using a putter, a bump-and-run, or a lob wedge. McIlroy believes that presenting professional golfers with such choices and introducing an element of doubt makes for an engaging championship test for viewers.
McIlroy, who won The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014, hopes to secure another Claret Jug. He mentioned having played well at The Open previously, with a win and numerous top-10 finishes, and feels he has had several strong opportunities to win the tournament since 2014. Four of the last five Champion Golfers have been from America, with players such as US Open champion Wyndham Clark, 2021 Open winner Collin Morikawa, and Chris Gotterup among those looking to continue this trend at Royal Birkdale.
Pundits’ predictions and English hopes
The last 12 editions of The Open have seen first-time champions, a streak that Scottie Scheffler aims to break by defending his title. Padraig Harrington was the last player to achieve back-to-back victories in 2008, and no player has won the Claret Jug twice since Ernie Els in 2012. Scheffler, who won at Royal Portrush a year ago to complete the third leg of the career Grand Slam, is looking to rebound from a missed cut at the recent Genesis Scottish Open.
English players such as Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Justin Rose are among the home hopes seeking a major victory in Merseyside. England has not had an Open winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley suggested that a win for Fleetwood in his hometown of Southport would be “wonderful,” noting Fleetwood’s ability to perform in major arenas.
McGinley also highlighted Fitzpatrick as a favourite among the English contenders due to his strong form on links courses and his skill as an iron player, which he believes will be crucial. Pundits have offered varied predictions for who will win The Open. Paul McGinley and Mark Roe have picked Scottie Scheffler, while Sir Nick Faldo, Nick Dougherty, Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley, Ewen Murray, Tim Barter, and Andrew Coltart have all named Matt Fitzpatrick. Rich Beem and Dame Laura Davies selected Tommy Fleetwood, Inci Mehmet chose Justin Rose, and Josh Antmann opted for Russell Henley.
The tournament will feature at least 15 hours of action during the first two rounds, with extended coverage beginning at 9am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.
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Source: skysports.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”