Royal Birkdale hosts The Open for the 11th time — its first since Jordan Spieth's 2017 win. A 7,223 yard par 70, this course plays shorter than most major tests and places less of an emphasis on distance off the tee. More of a premium is placed on precision into narrow, dune-lined corridors and control into small fescue greens guarded by numerous bunkers. Widely regarded as one of the fairest links tests — good shots are rewarded, poor ones punished — Birkdale can still be volatile with strong winds and firm greens. Additional renovations for 2026 - remodeling the par-5 5th and adding length to the long par-3 15th - will add further complexity to Birkdale. Players that pair strong ball-striking (especially those who can flight it down) with strong touch around the green should find the most success here. Early reports have the greens playing very fast and firm, so distance control and scrambling (when players inevitably miss the green) will be imperative.
Top Plays
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