This is the 11th time since 2017 that Royal Birkdale Golf Club has hosted the British Open Championship. The best players will head to Southport, England from July 16th to 19th in hopes of winning the coveted Claret Jug. Ahead of this year’s tournament, Royal Birkdale will be making significant changes to some of its holes, bringing new challenges to the field. customer Nick FaldoThe three-time British Open champion – in 1987, 1990 and 1992 – breaks down the modifications that will be unveiled this weekend.
The first big change is at No. 4, Royal Birkdale’s first par 3. The hole has been extended by 25 yards and the most prominent bunker has been reshaped and narrowed on the inside. Faldo believes the modification will allow players to “put the ball on the green” and increase their overall options. Meanwhile, the length of the fifth hole has been shortened by 25 yards, and new fairway bunkers may force players to “weigh the risks and rewards of hitting the green.” The right side of the hole was also removed and remodeled, and the blind tee shot was abolished. Finally, sand dunes have been added behind the green, creating a challenge for the ball passing through the putting surface.
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The next change is number 7. The tee box has moved significantly, changing the direction of play for the entire hole by 45 degrees. The hole is 26 yards shorter than in 2017, and while the donut-shaped bunkers remain, three have been completely removed. The elevated greens meant deeper run-offs on the sides, changing the difficulty of maintaining par.
“Significant modifications have added more teeth to this short but sweet par 3,” Faldo said.
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The last time the British Open was held at Royal Birkdale, the 13th hole was the center of attention. jordan spies 100 yards from the tee box, I missed the fairway to the right. He was able to hit his next shot off the practice range and ultimately finished the hole with a spectacular bogey, avoiding a complete disaster en route to his iconic victory. But because the hole’s infrastructure has changed, Faldo said his shot will be “impossible to recreate.” The fairways have changed slightly and the holes now play as slightly dogleg, or bent golf holes. One of the bunkers near the green has also been removed, giving players a chance to lay up if they struggle from the tee box.
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Another pair of back nine holes that look different are the 14th and 15th holes. The old 15th hole is now the new 14th hole, replacing the old 14th hole. The hole has been lengthened to 602 yards, 60 yards longer than in 2017, and wind will likely be a big factor. This year’s 15th hole is new to Royal Birkdale and is the longest and final par 3. Faldo describes the greens as “deceptively large” with limited visibility from the tee box.
Finally, we moved the 18th tee box slightly to the left to eliminate the dogleg. Visibility is good from the tee, but six fairway bunkers make the first shot difficult.
“This is a fitting final test and one that must be approached with caution by anyone wishing to achieve one of golf’s most famous achievements.”
The final men’s major of the year kicks off Thursday at 1:30 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
