The Open Championship has, so often down the years, been as much a battle with the elements as it has the swing for the world’s top golfers.
Recent Royal Birkdale Opens have been no different. When the Southport venue last staged the game’s oldest championship in 2017, play was briefly suspended during the second round because of heavy wind and rain.
In 2008, at the end of a week largely dominated by horrendous weather, Padraig Harrington prevailed with a winning score of three over par, four shots clear of Ian Poulter.
This week, however, it is shaping up to be a much different test, with firm and fiery conditions expected at a sun-baked Birkdale.
“The course is primed for an amazing week. It’s as linksy as links gets,” 2014 champion Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport’s Iain Carter.
“It’s a lot different than when I was here a few weeks ago [for a practice round]. It’s not quite as green, the rough isn’t quite as juicy – it’s still long, the fescue, but it’s a little thinner because of the weather we’ve had.”
With the rough having been “burnt out” by the sun, McIlroy – who shot 73-64 over the weekend to finish tied seventh at last week’s Scottish Open – is approaching the week with an attacking mindset.
“I think I can play the course a little more aggressively than I could, so I’m excited by that possibility, but it’s a great test,” added the six-time major winner, who finished joint fourth at Birkdale in 2017.
“The changes they’ve made to the golf course over the last few years, I think it’s going to be a great golf tournament that tests all aspects of the game.”
