Royal Birkdale set for challenging Open Championship conditions

By Charlotte Reid — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is anticipated to present a unique challenge to golfers this week, with the course featuring firm and fiery conditions due to recent dry weather. The tournament, the 154th Open Championship, is scheduled from 16-19 July in Southport.

The parched state of the course contrasts sharply with previous Opens at Birkdale, such as in 2017 when play was briefly halted by strong winds and heavy rain, and in 2008 when Padraig Harrington secured victory in similarly difficult weather. This year, the impact of a heatwave has left the course less green and more akin to a “yellow brick road,” particularly away from the putting surfaces that have received water.

Course conditions and player perspectives

Rory McIlroy, the 2014 champion, visited Birkdale weeks ago and noted the penal rough and the importance of accuracy. Upon his return, he found those areas had become even drier. Despite the challenging conditions, McIlroy expressed excitement about the possibility of playing the course more aggressively. He described Birkdale as “as linksy as links gets” and believes it will be a great test, particularly with changes made to the course over recent years.

Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and defending champion, also commented on the extreme conditions. He anticipates unusual bounces and situations, requiring considerable strategic thinking off the tee and when approaching the greens. Scheffler noted that the redesigned holes, including the fifth, seventh, 14th, and 15th, appear distinct from the rest of the course due to their severe green complexes and slopes.

The course renovations since Jordan Spieth’s 2017 victory have included redesigns on several holes. The new 15th hole, a par three, has already generated discussion among competitors during the tournament week, with Jon Rahm describing it as potentially “very, very difficult” depending on the wind and tee position. Rahm observed that the changes were clearly intended to make the course harder, and they have achieved that goal.

Historical context and player expectations

Royal Birkdale has a rich history of hosting memorable Open Championships. In 1976, Seve Ballesteros made a significant impression with his swashbuckling style, playing successfully from various parts of the links. Other notable winners at Birkdale include Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, and Peter Thomson. Jordan Spieth’s victory in 2017 and Padraig Harrington’s triumph in 2008 were both described as extraordinary and dramatic.

The firm and unpredictable nature of the course is expected to favour elite players. While Scottie Scheffler’s recent form has been below his usual standards, his iron control could still make him a contender for the Claret Jug. Other players considered strong contenders include Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, provided he has recovered from back issues. Jon Rahm, who missed the cut at the US Open, has shown good form in warm-up days.

Local hopes are high for Tommy Fleetwood, a native of Southport, whose popularity could make a victory particularly resonant. Matt Fitzpatrick’s prospects are also considered strong, and Justin Rose’s experience is expected to be valuable. The tournament is also addressing spectator conduct, with a code of conduct in place at majors this year to mitigate disruptive behaviour. The R&A has issued warnings about consequences for unruly fans at Birkdale, especially given the anticipated 300,000 attendees.

The 154th Open Championship will be broadcast with live radio and text commentary across all four rounds on the BBC Sport website and app, Radio 5 Live, and BBC Sounds, with daily television highlights on BBC2 and iPlayer from 21:00 BST on Thursday and Friday, 20:30 on Saturday, and 21:55 on Sunday.

Source: theguardian.com