Background: Royal Birkdale has hosted The Open Championship 11 times, and has been equally as kind to Australian golfers as the Old Course at St Andrews crowning an Australian Champion Golfer three times. The list of winners at Birkdale reads like a hall of fame: Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O'Meara, Padraig Harrington and Jordan Spieth.

What happened: The 2026 course is 67 yards longer than the one Spieth conquered in 2017. The front nine is actually 22 yards shorter the inward nine has gained 89 yards, concentrating more of the test where major championships tend to tighten. Unlike some traditional links, Royal Birkdale rarely relies on blind shots or quirky bounces. Instead it places a premium on quality ball-striking, intelligent course management, and patience which is one of the reasons it's held in such high regard by the professionals.

What else: Eight Australians are in the field Adam Scott playing his 26th consecutive Open, Cameron Smith as past champion, Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Lucas Herbert, Travis Smyth, Elvis Smylie, and Cameron John making his major championship debut. Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and several other past champions will not be playing.

What's the key learning?

Background: The 154th Open Championship tees off Thursday at Royal Birkdale, 67 yards longer than the 2017 version Jordan Spieth won by three shots. The course has been overhauled by architect Tom Mackenzie, with a brand new par-3 15th hole making its debut at 241 yards, and the back nine now carrying significantly more weight than the front. Mother Nature, as always, gets the final say.

What happened: The weather forecast is about as kind as Royal Birkdale ever gets, moderate winds from the north through the cut, then south-westerly on the weekend. Daytime temperatures pushing into the mid-20s, dry conditions throughout. Scoring should resemble 2017 more than 2008, when Padraig Harrington won at 3-over par and the average scoring average for the week was the highest of any major in the 21st century.

What else: Tommy Fleetwood is the standout power ranking pick this week, growing up just miles from Birkdale, knowing every inch of the course, and arriving in the form of his life. Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open at Birkdale's sister links venue, has a T3 at the Scottish Open this week, and is quietly building a Player of the Year case. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion and comes in at his highest odds since 2024 which either means the market thinks someone else wins, or it's the bet of the year.

What's the key learning?