Open Championship Faces 82F Heat Wave at Royal Birkdale, Reshaping Play and Course Setup
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Open Championship Faces 82F Heat Wave at Royal Birkdale, Reshaping Play and Course Setup
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 16
Summary
Royal Birkdale is playing unlike a typical Open after England’s heat wave pushed temperatures to 82F, hardened turf and altered winds at the Southport links.
No rain is forecast for the next three days, forcing course staff to use only minimal morning and evening watering to keep the grass alive while preserving firm, fast conditions.
Those baked-out surfaces are shortening the course but adding erratic bounces and more run into pot bunkers, a setup that could keep scores low if the wind stays manageable.
Jackson Suber opened with a 5-under 65 to lead, and only Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa were major champions among the top 12 after Thursday’s first round.
The unusual weather has also undercut some design intentions from Royal Birkdale’s renovation, highlighting how a rare British heat spell can reshape both strategy and setup at the 11th Open held there.