Royal Birkdale is back, and golf's oldest major, The Open Championship, is rolling into one of its most historic spots for the 11th time. It's been nine years since anyone fought for the Claret Jug on its legendary links. Last time, Jordan Spieth won his third major championship here, putting him within striking distance of the career grand slam. That win set a high bar, and the pressure is on for this year's field.
Legends Love a Fair Fight at Birkdale
Golfers usually complain about courses they don't like, but Birkdale? Different story. It's got near-unanimous approval from the legends of the game. Phil Mickelson, back in 2008, called it "a very fair test where good shots get rewarded, primarily the 30 or 40 yards short of the green." He loved the "more consistent bounces" and how "well-struck shots are rewarded," noting it uses "every club in your bag" with "bunkers perfectly placed for strategy." Even Dustin Johnson, playing his first Open here in 2008, where Padraig Harrington won, agreed it "sets up well for me" if you "control your golf ball." Fast forward to 2017, and Sergio Garcia, who'd played Birkdale in both '98 and '08, called it "one of the toughest Open venues we play," right up there with Carnoustie and Muirfield. He still likes it, though, calling it a "solid golf course." When these guys praise a course, you know it's the real deal.New Tech, New Holes: Scheffler Sees a Completely Different Course
Nine years is a long time in golf, especially with how much technology has pushed hitting distances off the tee. So, it's no shocker that Royal Birkdale has undergone big changes since its last Open in 2017. And the reigning champion, world number one Scottie Scheffler, definitely noticed. Speaking before this year's Open, Scheffler's "first impressions were really good." But then he dropped a bomb: "I think it's pretty obvious , the one thing I found interesting is it's so obvious as to which holes had been redone. They look like they're not even on the same golf course." Talk about a drastic makeover! Despite some holes looking like they belong somewhere else, Scheffler is still "a fan of the golf course as a whole," echoing the sentiments of those multi-time major winners before him. It sounds like they've kept that classic Birkdale challenge, even while adapting it for today's power game. So, get ready! With all its history, legendary challenge, and these wild new changes, Birkdale is primed to deliver another epic Open Championship. The best players in the world are gonna be battling for that iconic Claret Jug. It's gonna be awesome to see who masters this revamped course and carves their name into its storied past.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.