Royal Birkdale

The setting, the spectators, the Art Deco clubhouse. Royal Birkdale is synonymous with golf’s original championship.

Another compelling chapter in The Open’s fascinating story is set to be written at this special place come July, and there are some new obstacles the Championship’s main characters will have to overcome if they are to claim the title of Champion Golfer of the Year.

The club has chosen to make enhancements to a cluster of holes – with a spectacular new par-3, a long par-5 and alterations to the world famous 18th all lying in wait.

Birkdale Head Professional Gregg Pettersen outlined some changes players and fans will see when The 154th Open gets under way in Southport this summer.

Risk and reward dilemma

The new par-4 5th is a classic risk-reward hole and Gregg believes it will pose all manner of questions to the world’s top players.

“The 5th is a completely new hole. Even though it’s in the same position roughly – the tee, green and fairway, everything has moved," he said.

"You can now see the green whereas in 2017 you couldn’t see anything. It was a blind shot over the dunes down the right side.

“When the tees were forward on the Saturday they were all going for the green back then. It’s a lot more heavily guarded now with bunkers.

“The sensible play is to lay it up around 200 yards and leave yourself a wedge in. If the wind is favourable, there will be players having a go at it.

“If they do miss the bunkers and get one up onto the green, it runs off to the left and over the back. Off the back is very deep, very severe. It is definitely not the place to leave it – trust me. Do not go long.

“It is a great hole. It will ask questions.”

Smallest green poses biggest risk

A hole famous for its ‘donut bunker’, Gregg didn’t sugar coat his response when asked what players will be faced with at the redesigned 7th.

While this par-3 might be the shortest hole on the course, the margin for error is also small. A new, raised green is surrounded by some of the most dangerous sand traps on the venue – one misstep could spell trouble.

“It is a new green that’s been raised," said Gregg, "with steep run-offs all around, and the bunkers are the deepest on the entire golf course.

“We have maintained the donut bunker on the left-hand side, quite an iconic feature – while it doesn’t look exactly the same it is still there, with the island in the middle.”

Precision the order on redesigned 14th

What was previously the 15th hole is now Royal Birkdale's 14th, redesigned as a long par-5. Prepare to see some drama here.

Players should expect to be tested by winds, an array of bunkers positioned either side of the fairway and a challenging, undulating green.

Several bunkers are in play from the tee, so finding the short grass with their first shot will be key to opening up opportunities.

A great deal of care is required when approaching the green, with deep run-off areas waiting to capture anything struck too firmly.

Gregg said: “It will be a good challenge for them. There are plenty of bunkers up there waiting. If they are going to lay-up, they need to lay-up to the right number.

“The green is small and very undulating, with a big run-off to the left-hand side.

'Big moments' in store at new par-3

An imposing tee shot lies in wait at the new par-3 15th.

The narrow entrance to the green will make the putting surface look very small from the tee. Appearances can be deceptive, however. This is one of the largest greens on the course.

The hole, which is found on the location of the old 14th, typically plays downwind, and with the green running from front to back there’s a lot to consider.

“Although it is the biggest green on the golf course, it doesn’t look like it from the tee,” Gregg said.

“A front pin can be very narrow and intimidating with two bunkers to the left and a large run-off to the right side.

“Getting the ball to stop on the green could be difficult as the wind gets up. It does want to run away from you.”

Now the longest par-3 on the course, the 15th is sure to be a popular spot for fans looking to witness some excitement.

“There could be big moments here – it could really go either way,” Gregg added.

A famous finish, fraught with danger

Some of The Open's finest Champions have enjoyed the greatest walk in golf on Birkdale's revered final hole.

It has also witnessed an array of classic Championship moments. Justin Rose's hole-out to seal the Silver Medal in 1998; Seve Ballesteros threading the ball between bunkers in 1976.

While the memories endure, and the magic of the 18th remains, the hole has evolved and the challenge risen.

“There’s a lot more than can go wrong on 18 than there was previously,” Gregg said.

Precision, composure, character. It will all be required in spades, in no small part due to the changed tee position which has reshaped the challenge of this par-4.

"The old 18th tee was to the right, so the hole was playing more as a dog-leg from left to right," he added. "We have moved the tee a long way left, so it is a straight hole looking up to the clubhouse. It is now just lined with bunkers everywhere.

“For anyone taking a driver, and trying to take the hole on, it is so easy to fall into one of the traps. I would expect a lot of players to be shorter off the tee and then leave themselves a longer shot into the green just to take out the risk of going into the fairway bunkers.

“It will feel completely different for the players [compared to 2017]. They will stand on the tee and think ‘where am I going to hit it?’.

“It looks a very narrow, very intimidating, tee shot now with all the bunkers.”