British Open returns to a new Royal Birkdale and an old chase for the claret jug
The 154th British Open has commenced at Royal Birkdale, featuring a challenging, dry course and a field of top golfers including Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau. Players are navigating significant course modifications, including a new par-3 15th hole, under firm and fast conditions.
Why it matters
As one of golf's four major championships, the British Open is a premier global sporting event that significantly impacts the professional golf rankings and industry.
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Matthew Baldwin teed off at Royal Birkdale, just as he has done countless times as a member of the century-old links who grew up a short walk away. What made Thursday different was having a full grandstand surrounding him and a shiny claret jug reminding him what's at stake.
Baldwin hit the opening tee shot at the 154th edition of the British Open , an iron that split the middle of the brown fairway and was approved by a cheering crowd.
James Nicholas was in the first group for the second straight major. The New York native was first off at Shinnecock Hills last month in the U.S. Open, hitting his opening tee shot in fog so thick he couldn't see it land in the fairway . This shot at Birkdale didn't go so well, pulled into the thick grass and leading to an opening bogey.
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