Skip to main content
Basket
Our patrons
Your Cookies

Accepting all cookies will ensure you have the best experience possible when visiting TheOpen.com.

Some of these cookies are necessary to make our site work, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.

Manage your cookie settings
Cookie Policy
Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale

Royal Birkdale

Birkdale was established in 1889 but extensively redesigned in 1922 to create the current layout, which winds its way through the sand dunes towering over each of the fairways. Since first hosting The Open in 1954, the course has been the most regular venue for the Championship other than St Andrews. Peter Thomson won his first and final Open at Royal Birkdale, while Ryan Fox is the latest player to triumph there, winning The 154th Open in 2026.

Upcoming Venues

Ryan Fox celebrates his winning putt at Royal Birkdale
THE 154th OPEN

Ryan Fox / New Zealander claims Claret Jug after thrilling finale.

Read More

Royal Birkdale in Pictures

Justin Rose holes out for birdie on 18 at Royal Birkdale to win the Silver Medal, 1998
Justin Rose holes out for birdie on 18 at Royal Birkdale to win the Silver Medal, 1998
Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale
Padraig Harrington 2008 Royal Birkdale 1
Padraig Harrington 2008 Royal Birkdale 1
Jordan Spieth 13th Hole Royal Birkdale 2017
Jordan Spieth 13th Hole Royal Birkdale 2017
Johnson Birkdale 2017
Johnson Birkdale 2017
Ian Poulter 2008 Royal Birkdale
Ian Poulter 2008 Royal Birkdale
Tommy Fleetwood 2017 Royal Birkdale
Tommy Fleetwood 2017 Royal Birkdale
Koepka Birkdale 2017
Koepka Birkdale 2017
Ryan Fox celebrates his winning putt at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Fox celebrates his winning putt at Royal Birkdale
Ryan Fox celebrates his winning putt
Ryan Fox celebrates his winning putt
MultimediaCarousel_Background

The Open at Royal Birkdale

1954

Peter Thomson Claret Jug 1954
Peter Thomson Claret Jug 1954
Thomson wins The first Open to be played at Royal Birkdale

1961

Arnold Palmer 1961
Arnold Palmer 1961
Palmer wins the first of back-to-back Opens

1965

Peter Thomson 1965
Peter Thomson 1965
Thomson succeeds at Birkdale once again

1971

Lee Trevino Claret Jug 1971
Lee Trevino Claret Jug 1971
Trevino wins historic 100th Open

1976

Johnny Miller Champion Golfer 1976
Johnny Miller Champion Golfer 1976
Miller closes with 66 to win The Open

1983

Tom Watson 1983
Tom Watson 1983
Watson wins fifth Claret Jug

1991

Ian Baker-Finch Claret Jug 1991
Ian Baker-Finch Claret Jug 1991
Baker-Finch wins The Open after final round 66

1998

Mark OMeara Champion Golfer 1998
Mark OMeara Champion Golfer 1998
O'Meara wins playoff to take second major of 1998

2008

Padraig Harrington Claret Jug 2008
Padraig Harrington Claret Jug 2008
Harrington battles injury to win back-to-back 

2017

Jordan Spieth on his way to victory, 2017
Jordan Spieth on his way to victory, 2017
Spieth dramatically clinches victory at The Open
Spieth dramatically clinches victory at The Open

2026

Ryan Fox kisses the Claret Jug
Ryan Fox kisses the Claret Jug
Ryan Fox produces stunning finish to claim Claret Jug

Champion Golfers at Royal Birkdale

Ryan Fox celebrates with the Claret Jug after winning The 154th Open.
  • 2026
row-144-col-1

Ryan Fox

View profile
Spieth Jordan
  • 2017
row-197-col-1

Jordan Spieth

View profile
Harrington Padraig
  • 2007
  • 2008
row-89-col-1

Padraig Harrington

View profile
OMeara Mark Portrait
  • 1998
row-197-col-1

Mark O'Meara

View profile
Baker-Finch Ian
  • 1991
row-11-col-1

Ian Baker-Finch

View profile
Watson Tom
  • 1975
  • 1977
  • 1980
  • 1982
  • 1983
row-197-col-1

Tom Watson

View profile
Miller Johnny
  • 1976
row-197-col-1

Johnny Miller

View profile
Trevino Lee
  • 1971
  • 1972
row-197-col-1

Lee Trevino

View profile
Thomson Peter
  • 1954
  • 1955
  • 1956
  • 1958
  • 1965
row-11-col-1

Peter Thomson

View profile
Palmer Arnold
  • 1961
  • 1962
row-197-col-1

Arnold Palmer

View profile