Royal Birkdale prepares for The Open

By Jack Ferndale · Senior Football Correspondent · 15.07.2026

By Jack Ferndale — 15 July 2026 — 4 min read

Royal Birkdale prepares for The Open

The Royal Birkdale course is expected to present a significant challenge to golfers at The Open 2026, with firm and fast conditions headlining the early days of the tournament week. These conditions are anticipated to create a classic Open Championship atmosphere, concluding the major season. The dry weather, sun, and wind have contributed to the course drying out considerably, which may alter strategic approaches for players vying for the Claret Jug.

Andrew Coltart of Sky Sports Golf noted that Royal Birkdale is expected to be “unbelievably firm,” suggesting that big hitters will need to be cautious as their golf balls could run through fairways into thick rough. He indicated that a “short and smart off the tee” strategy might be more effective. This assessment aligns with observations that the rough, while previously penal, has burnt out significantly, potentially making it less challenging than anticipated.

The course has also undergone several modifications since it last hosted The Open in 2017. These changes include an alteration to the 5th hole, transforming it into a risk-reward drivable par-4. The green at the par-3 7th has been elevated, and a cluster of holes on the back nine, including the 13th, 14th, and a new par-3 15th, have also been changed. These adjustments, combined with the firm conditions and a forecast without rain, are expected to provide a challenging end to the major championship season.

Strategic decisions on the course

The firm and fast conditions at Royal Birkdale are prompting some players to adjust their equipment. Justin Rose, who made his amateur debut at Birkdale in 1998, plans to carry a 2-, 3-, and 4-iron this week, necessitating the removal of his usual 7-wood and one of his wedges. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, will include a 3-iron in his bag but will not make other changes. Scheffler highlighted that the “browned out” course increases the mental challenge by offering various options on most holes.

Scheffler explained that the ball will run considerably, and the tight fairways, coupled with crosswinds, will make them difficult to hold due to their speed and firmness. This will require players to make strategic decisions off the tee, weighing whether to hit a driver and potentially play from the rough or use irons to find the fairways and face longer shots into the greens. He believes the firmness of the course will lead to more decision-making and challenges in controlling the ball and predicting its trajectory, with some unusual bounces expected.

Rory McIlroy acknowledged that the dry conditions are beneficial for the course in some ways, but also noted the rough is less penal than it was weeks prior. He suggested that some players might be more aggressive with their drivers to avoid fairway bunkers, even if it means landing in the less penal rough, from where they can use a wedge. McIlroy generally approves of the course changes, despite some greens having what he described as “unnatural” runoffs and mounding, believing they create a good challenge and offer players options around the green.

Contenders for the Claret Jug

Scottie Scheffler aims to defend his title at The Open, a year after his victory at Royal Portrush, which completed the third leg of his career Grand Slam. He is looking to rebound from a missed cut at the recent Genesis Scottish Open. If successful, Scheffler would be the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to win back-to-back editions of The Open, and the first since Ernie Els in 2012 to lift the Claret Jug for a second time.

The last 12 editions of The Open have seen first-time champions. Four of the last five Champion Golfers have been American, with US Open champion Wyndham Clark, 2021 Open winner Collin Morikawa, and Chris Gotterup among those hoping to continue this trend at Royal Birkdale. McIlroy, who won at Royal Liverpool in 2014, is also seeking another Claret Jug, having achieved numerous top-10 finishes and several strong chances to win the tournament since his victory.

English hopes for a major victory rest on players such as Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Justin Rose. England has not had an Open winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992. Paul McGinley expressed his desire for Fleetwood, a native of Southport, to win in his hometown, noting Fleetwood’s charisma and ability to perform in major arenas. McGinley also identified Fitzpatrick as a favourite among the English players due to his current form and strong links play, particularly highlighting his iron play as a key factor.

Several pundits have offered their predictions for who will win The Open. Paul McGinley and Mark Roe have picked Scottie Scheffler. Sir Nick Faldo, Nick Dougherty, Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley, Ewen Murray, Tim Barter, and Andrew Coltart have all selected Matt Fitzpatrick. Rich Beem and Dame Laura Davies are backing Tommy Fleetwood. Inci Mehmet has chosen Justin Rose, while Josh Antmann has picked Russell Henley. The tournament coverage will begin at 6:30 AM on Thursday.

Source: skysports.com

Jack Ferndale

Senior Football Correspondent

As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”