Royal Birkdale holds some of the greatest histories in Golf and has become one of the most revisited Open Venues in the UK due to its diverse weather conditions, prestige and over difficultly. If the wind picks up it's going to be a low scoring Open Championship.
In 2008, the wind certainly did play its part. As the 2008 Champion, Padraig Harrington took the Claret Jug with a very unusual score of +3, helped by a remarkable Eagle down the 17th.
British Open - Royal Birkdale Facts and Information
1. Royal Birkdale was first established in 1889 - to be redesigned in 1922
2. The first Open was in 1954 and the last in 2008
3. It was awarded the 'Royal' status in 1951
4. Located in Southport, Merseyside, North Liverpool
5. Royal Birkdale runs adjacent to the Hillside Links GC, which was labelled by Greg Norman as having the "The best 9 holes in the UK"
6. Nearby Open venues include Royal Liverpool (Hoylake GC) and Royal Lytham & St Annes
7. Previous winners include: Padraig Harrington, Mark O'Meara, Ian Baker-Finch, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer and twice by Peter Thomson.
8. Royal Birkdale is also a rotation for the Womens British Open.
9. Other Events held includes the: Ryder Cup in 1965 + 1969, Senior Open Championship 2013, Walker Cup 1951 and the Curtis Cup in 1948
10. Royal Birkdale is ranked as the 32nd best course in the world; 12th best in Britain & Ireland and the 3rd in England.
