Play Royal Birkdale on SKYTRAK | The Open Championship Scouting Report

There are few places in golf more synonymous with championship golf than Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Nestled among the towering dunes of Southport, England, this legendary links course returns to center stage as the host of The 154th Open Championship and now you can experience every shot yourself as Royal Birkdale arrives on SKYTRAK the very same week.

One of Golf's Greatest Championship Venues

Since first hosting The Open in 1954, Royal Birkdale has welcomed some of the biggest names in golf. Peter Thomson claimed the inaugural Open at Birkdale, while champions including Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Pádraig Harrington, and Jordan Spieth have all lifted the Claret Jug here. The 2026 championship marks the 11th time Royal Birkdale has hosted golf's oldest major.

Unlike many traditional links courses, Royal Birkdale winds through valleys between massive sand dunes rather than over them. The result is a layout that's both visually stunning and remarkably fair, rewarding precision over luck while still demanding creativity when the coastal winds begin to blow. It's no surprise the course is consistently regarded as one of the finest venues on The Open rota.

Moments That Made History

Royal Birkdale has produced some of the most memorable moments in major championship golf.

In 1983, Tom Watson captured his fifth Open Championship, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest links golfers of all time.

Then came 2017, when Jordan Spieth authored one of the most unforgettable finishes in Open history. After driving wildly offline on the par 4 13th and taking an unplayable lie, Spieth somehow escaped with bogey before immediately responding with a remarkable eagle on the next hole. He birdied three of his final five holes to pull away from Matt Kuchar and claim the Claret Jug. The dramatic sequence is still considered one of the defining stretches in modern major championship golf.

That same week, South Africa's Branden Grace made history by becoming the first player ever to shoot a 62 in a men's major championship, proving that even one of golf's toughest tests can reward fearless shotmaking.

What to Watch During The Open

When the world's best arrive at Royal Birkdale, don't expect a birdie fest.

The signature par 3 12th, the demanding par 4 13th, and the iconic finishing hole framed by Birkdale's famous Art Deco clubhouse will likely play a major role in deciding this year's Champion Golfer of the Year. With firm fairways, deep revetted bunkers, and ever-changing seaside winds, course management will be just as important as ball striking.

Players who embrace creativity such as using low, running approach shots, shaping drives with the wind, and staying patient when conditions become difficult are typically the ones who thrive on this classic links layout.

Experience Royal Birkdale on SKYTRAK

Now it's your turn.

Whether you're recreating Spieth's incredible finish, taking aim at the famous 12th green, or simply trying to survive one of golf's most celebrated championship tests, Royal Birkdale delivers an authentic links golf experience from the comfort of your simulator.

Play it before the pros tee it up. Then watch The Open unfold and see how your strategy compares to the best players in the world.

Can you conquer Royal Birkdale? Try it today with the Core: Trackman or Elite SKYTRAK membership.