The 154th Open Championship has officially commenced on the Southport sand dunes of Royal Birkdale, with the world's best golfers facing a golf course described as completely baked out. Australian golf fans are set for a bumper viewing schedule as local stars prepare to tackle the incredibly fast, brown links turf in prime-time television slots.

The Full Story

Play officially began on Thursday morning at 6.35 am local BST with local Southport boy Matthew Baldwin hitting the tournament's first tee shot on his home turf. While Baldwin managed to secure an opening par under benign morning conditions, his playing partner Thomas Detry recorded the very first birdie of the week by rolling in an eight-foot putt. The early, windless conditions also paved the way for a blistering start from Bob MacIntyre, who opened birdie-birdie after sinking a massive 45-foot putt on the first hole.

However, the narrative of the week is completely dominated by the dramatic state of the golf course. Unusually warm weather has left the Southport layout looking incredibly brown and parched. With daytime temperatures hitting a sunny 25°C and absolutely zero rain forecast for the opening rounds, the ground is so firm that players are reporting six-irons rolling out to unprecedented distances. This has turned the historic venue into a psychological puzzle where navigating the layout's 100-plus sand bunkers is much more critical than raw power off the tee.

The afternoon groupings will present the ultimate test of patience as the sea breeze is expected to pick up to 10 to 15 mph. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is highly motivated to rebound from a missed cut at the Scottish Open last week, which snapped his incredible streak of 78 consecutive made cuts. He faces a blockbuster group alongside LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, directly following Aussie veteran Jason Day, who has recovered from the back injury that forced his withdrawal at the US Open.

Who's Involved

Several major figures are set to dictate the leaderboard at Royal Birkdale this week:

• Min Woo Lee: The rising Australian star, currently ranked 24th in the world, who is coming off a brilliant runner-up finish at the Scottish Open.
• Scottie Scheffler: The world number one and defending champion who won the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush last year by four shots.
• Rory McIlroy: The world number two who is seeking to end his long-standing major drought, fresh off defending his Masters crown back in April.
• Cameron Smith: The 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year, standing as Australia's last male major champion, seeking a second Claret Jug.
• Tommy Fleetwood: The Southport native playing on his literal hometown course, carrying the immense pressure of the local crowd.

By the Numbers

The technical layout of Royal Birkdale and the unique tournament parameters are highlighted by several key statistics:

• 154: The edition of this year's Open Championship.
• 25°C: The forecasted peak temperature for Thursday and Friday with sunny, dry conditions.
• 78: The consecutive cuts streak snapped by Scottie Scheffler at the Renaissance Club last week.
• 100+: The number of hazardous sand bunkers scattered across the Southport dunes.
• 70: The top players (plus ties) who will make the cut after 36 holes to play the weekend.

What This Means

For Australian sports fans, the baked-out conditions at Royal Birkdale make this Open Championship particularly fascinating. Min Woo Lee pointed out that his steep swing angle actually plays well on dried-out grass, as his club bounces smoothly off the firm turf instead of digging deep divots. With key Australian contenders teeing off during prime-time evening hours in Australia, local interest is incredibly high.

Strategically, the dry turf turns the game into a mental chess match. Rather than hitting drivers on every hole, players must decide whether to lay back before the fairway bunkers or take the risk of carrying them. A single errant bounce on the hard fairway can send a ball rolling into a deep pot bunker, instantly destroying a player's round. It's a test of ultimate patience, course management, and emotional resilience.

What to Expect

The first round will continue through Thursday evening, with the late starters facing a firmer golf course and stronger coastal winds. Overnight leaderboards will take shape in the early hours of Friday morning, Australian time, before the field is trimmed down during Friday's second round. The top 70 players and ties will advance to the weekend rounds, where slightly cooler temperatures of 21°C and partially cloudy skies are predicted.

FAQ

When do the main Australian players tee off?

Travis Smyth was the first Australian on the course on Thursday afternoon. He is followed in prime-time evening slots by Min Woo Lee, Jason Day, Cameron Smith, and late-night starter Adam Scott.

What are the weather conditions like at Royal Birkdale?

The weather is sunny and dry with zero rain forecast for the opening rounds. Temperatures are expected to reach 25°C on Thursday and Friday, with wind speeds consistent at 10 to 15 mph.

Why are players calling the course burnt out?

A prolonged lack of rain has dried out the grass, turning the fairways brown and making the ground extremely firm. This causes the ball to bounce and roll much further than normal, completely changing player club selection off the tee.

How many players make the cut at The Open?

Only the top 70 professional players and ties on the leaderboard after the first 36 holes of play will qualify to play the final two rounds over the weekend.