Royal Birkdale debuts revised layout for 2026 Open
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Royal Birkdale, a historic links that dates to 1889 and was modernized in 1931, received a significant 2024 remodel by Tom Mackenzie and will host the 2026 Open, its 11th time staging the championship. Changes include a new 241-yard 15th hole replacing the old par-3 14th, a shortened and reshaped fifth hole, widened fairway work on the 13th, and rebuilt greens such as the 17th that were extended in 2008. The course's firm turf, tall dunes and relatively flat lies continue to reward straight driving and precise distance control, reinforcing Birkdale's reputation as a fair championship venue.
Royal Birkdale's 2024 remodel set the course for the 2026 Open.
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