Open Championship faces unprecedented dry conditions at Royal Birkdale
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Royal Birkdale Golf Club hosts the 154th Open Championship under firm and fast conditions caused by unseasonably warm temperatures and no forecasted rain, differing sharply from the wet 2017 event.
- Scottie Scheffler described the course as requiring significant strategy, comparing current conditions to the 2022 Open at St. Andrews and noting the ball will 'run for forever' on fairways.
- Jon Rahm predicted some golfers could hit a 6-iron 280 yards with tailwinds from the Irish Sea, calling the setup 'unprecedented for sure'.
- Rory McIlroy called the dry conditions a 'double-edged sword', noting the burnt-out rough reduces its penal nature and opens aggressive play options.
- Justin Rose observed that elevated greens with steep fall-offs on new holes like the 14th and 15th increase strategic complexity, favoring classic links-style ground play.
- Scheffler aims to become the first back-to-back Open winner since Padraig Harrington in 2008–09, facing a course that rewards precision and varied shot selection.
Why it matters: The dry, firm layout gives players who excel in low-spin, strategic links golf a material edge, while power hitters may gain from reduced rough penalties—altering competitive balance. With no rain expected, course behavior will remain consistent, amplifying the impact of early-round decisions.
