Royal Birkdale prepares to host British Open with ...

By Bilal Ahmed — 14 July 2026 — 4 min read

Royal Birkdale: A Historic Venue for the British Open

The British Open is set to commence on Thursday, July 16, with the first round taking place at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. This historic links course, playing as a 7,223-yard Par 70, is hosting golf’s oldest major for the 11th time. Its design features flat fairways nestled within valleys, framed by towering sand dunes, and protected by a challenging layer of thick native rough.

The course’s layout is known for rewarding elite shot-makers who can control their ball flight and execute precise, low approach shots into the wind. Unlike some other links designs, the fairway bounces are rarely blind, but venturing off the short grass can lead players into deep fescue rough or behind severe dune formations. The property also includes over 109 bunkers, and it has undergone extensive redesign phases by Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert in preparation for this championship.

Historically, Royal Birkdale has crowned legendary champions. Jordan Spieth triumphed here in 2017, demonstrating exceptional iron control and a strong short game. Other notable past winners at this venue include Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, and Tom Watson. The course demands strategic management, patience, and tee-to-green precision from its competitors.

The green complexes at Royal Birkdale are described as tamer and more modest in size compared to modern major layouts. They are specifically designed to withstand the brutal coastal gales that frequently sweep in from the Irish Sea. This characteristic further emphasizes the need for players to master ball flight control.

Jordan Spieth of the United States holds the trophy after winning the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, July 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File) Credit: apnews.com

Key Players and Course Conditions

Rory McIlroy is among the top players to watch as he seeks his second major championship of the year and his seventh overall. McIlroy, who won the Open Championship in 2014, finished T4 at Royal Birkdale in 2017 and achieved a T7 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open recently. His track record at the British Open includes six other Top 10 finishes, and he has secured four Top 20s across five tournaments since winning the Masters in April.

Another player generating interest is Tommy Fleetwood, an Englishman who has recorded three Top 10 finishes at the Open Championship. Fleetwood enters the 2026 edition with five consecutive Top 20 finishes, having gained true strokes across various aspects of his game.

Scottie Scheffler, currently the world’s No. 1 golfer, is also a prominent figure in the field. He leads in true strokes gained tee-to-green, adjusted scoring average, and bogey avoidance in 2026. Matt Fitzpatrick also presents a strong statistical profile, ranking second in true strokes gained tee-to-green and on approach, and third in adjusted scoring average and bogey avoidance.

The early weather forecast for the tournament suggests classic, challenging coastal conditions. Sustained wind gusts are anticipated to blow between 10-20 mph across all four days of play. These conditions are expected to further test the players’ ability to control their shots and manage the course effectively.

Tournament Structure and Past Champions

The British Open will feature a field of 156 players, which will be reduced to the Top 70 players and ties following Friday’s second round. The tournament concludes on Sunday, July 19.

Royal Birkdale has a rich history of hosting the British Open, with many memorable moments and champions. In 1954, Peter Thomson won his first of five British Open titles with a score of 283. Arnold Palmer secured his victory in 1961 with a score of 284, notably hitting a 6-iron from behind a bush on the 16th hole, a shot now commemorated with a plaque.

Thomson returned to win again in 1965, closing with a 71 for his fifth British Open title. Lee Trevino won in 1971 with a score of 278, becoming one of the few players to win both the U.S. Open and British Open in the same year. Johnny Miller claimed victory in 1976 with a score of 279, a championship that also marked the emergence of a young Seve Ballesteros.

Tom Watson won his fifth British Open in 1983, closing with a 70. Ian Baker-Finch achieved victory in 1991 with a score of 272, highlighted by rounds of 64-66 over the weekend. Mark O’Meara won in 1998 with a score of 280 after a playoff, becoming the oldest man at 41 to win two majors in one year. Padraig Harrington successfully defended his title in 2008, winning with a score of 283, despite an injured wrist.