​It’s officially Open Championship week, marking the 154th edition of golf’s oldest major, returning to Royal Birkdale for the 11th time. Before the big event begins, American professionals have been heading overseas early to fine-tune their links skills and soak in some of the United Kingdom’s storied courses. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, after missing the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open, carved out extra time to visit North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, bringing his son Bennett along for company as they wandered a coastline of memorable holes and rolling fairways.
Across the border in England, Akshay Bhatia and Rickie Fowler explored a nearby Southport layout, where Tommy Fleetwood cut his teeth at West Lancashire Golf Club. They didn’t go alone, either—the trip included junior member George Crompton, who tagged along for what must have been an unforgettable experience and a rare look behind the scenes of professional prep on the links.
Jordan Spieth, the 2017 Open champion at Royal Birkdale, was seen getting acclimated to the distinct rhythms of links golf with a round at Formby Golf Club. The club’s social channels captured the moment, noting it’s always a privilege to see one of the game’s greats enjoying the unique atmosphere of the links.
The pro presence wasn’t the only notable golf activity on display. Golf Digest’s Jamie Kennedy captured a moment of pure luck and skill with a hole-in-one on the par-4 18th at North Berwick, a shot made all the more memorable by a bartender who happened to be rolling a time-lapse of sunset as the ball found the hole.
Even the local correspondent found himself chasing birdies on the way across the Atlantic, stopping near London at Walton Heath (Old) for a quick round before heading toward Hillside. There, a tee time awaited with a historic tie to the Open: Arnold Palmer qualified for the 1961 Championship at Hillside, a reminder of the event’s rich lineage.
The game of links golf, with its wind-tilted greens, blind rises, and gusting sea breezes, stands out as a uniquely traditional form of preparation for the Open. It’s a ritual that many players embrace, savoring the chance to test their skills on venerable courses that have shaped the sport’s history. Walton Heath’s par-3 17th and the surrounding terrain offer a snapshot of the classic layouts that help players dial in their rhythm and reacquaint themselves with how a ball can respond to a coastal breeze and firm turf.
As the field readies for the first tee on Thursday, the broader golf community begins to feel the buzz of the major week. The narrative isn’t just about who will lift the Claret Jug but about how these stars, plus emerging talents, interpret the quirks of Royal Birkdale and the other historic venues around the U.K. It’s a week where practice rounds blend into storytelling—the kind that only the oldest major in golf’s history can sustain.
Adam Schupak, a senior writer for Golfweek, continues to chronicle the scene as the Open’s week of preparation unfolds. This piece, originally published by Golfweek, highlights the international flavor of this year’s buildup: Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and a roster of others pairing elite play with the time-honored tradition of playing links golf as a prelude to the major. The memory-making begins well before the first shot, as players and observers alike soak in the essence of the U.K.’s historic courses and the enduring appeal of the Open.