​Old friend, new face. Royal Birkdale welcomes the 126th Open Championship, heading to the Southport links about an hour north of Liverpool for the first time since Jordan Spieth’s daring win in 2017. Changes have touched all 18 holes, ranging from subtle to substantial. The fifth, 14th, and 15th holes have been completely redesigned, with the former site of the old par-3 14th now serving as a short-game practice area. The par-3 seventh has been shortened and given a new green, while the finishing stretch at 16 and 17 presents a fresh look with new tees, bunkers, and green shapes.
Even with the reconfigurations, the total yardage only nudges up by 67 yards to 7,223, and the par remains at 70. The expectation is that Birkdale will present a similar test to previous Opens, emphasizing accuracy and shot placement rather than brute length, especially when compared to courses like Royal Portrush and St. Andrews. It should play more like a venue that rewards precision, akin to Royal Troon and Royal Liverpool. For a sense of comparable PGA Tour profiles, consider players who have excelled at Sea Island’s Seaside Course, Harbour Town, and Colonial.
Finding fairways and scrambling will be crucial this week, though the forecast—mild to moderate wind with warm temperatures—could ease the task of finding greens. Nevertheless, firmer greens may elevate the importance of scrambling and up-and-down ability, even if fairways can be found more reliably in the calmer conditions.
While recent form matters, it’s worth noting how different last week’s Renaissance Club in Scotland was from Birkdale. Among 121 PGA Tour courses in Data Golf’s database, Renaissance ranks 105th when compared with Birkdale, underscoring the potential for a fresh evaluation of players as they adapt to the Southport layout. Sorry, Tom Kim, although you’ll see shortly why I’m still bullish on Sunday’s winner.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters as the reigning Open champion, having clinched his third major title at Portrush last summer. An extra few days in Southport came courtesy of missing the cut at North Berwick. Just how much should we read into Scheffler’s first MC since 2022? Consider these rankings, where Scheffler sits No. 1 among 156 players:
1) Scottie Scheffler: A missed cut at the Scottish Open gave the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year some additional time to practice around Birkdale. His approach play has shown marked improvement in recent starts, and the absence of harsh weather should allow his elite ball-striking to shine as the favorite.
2) Matt Fitzpatrick: Not only is he in strong form after contending at the Scottish Open, but he also has a perfect fit for this course with his deft chipping and ability to thread shots around trouble.
3) Tommy Fleetwood: Returning to Birkdale, where he was T-27 in 2017, Fleetwood has posted five Open finishes of T-16 or better since then. He remains among the world’s best tee-to-green players and will be a constant factor.
4) Rory McIlroy: Back at Birkdale after a T-4 in 2017 and three top-7s in his last four Open starts. While this might not be his strongest rota stop, he’ll likely lean on the driver—an area that has been pivotal for him in major setups.
With Birkdale’s updated layout and a balancing mix of firm greens and fairways that may yield to precise ball-striking, this Open promises a test that blends shot-making with strategic course management. The week will reward players who can keep the ball in the fairway, scramble efficiently when off the pace, and navigate the new demands around the greens at a venue steeped in Open history.