It has been nearly a decade since Ireland’s Padraig Harrington won at Royal Birkdale. Now, as The Open returns for a 10th time, find out more about the course.
Hole 1: Par four, 448 yards
The green is partially hidden by a mound to the right and protected by bunkers. There is out-of-bounds down the right-hand side. Ranked the second-hardest hole at the 1998 and 2008 Opens.
Hole 2: Par four, 422 yards
Played into the prevailing wind and requires an accurate tee shot between two bunkers on the right and a mounded area on the left. The green is protected by sand at the front. Ranked sixth-hardest in 2008.
Hole 3: Par four, 451 yards
Fairly straightforward hole, providing the tee shot is down the left. Ranked 14th-hardest in 2008.
Hole 4: Par three, 199 yards
An elevated tee drops 30 feet to a green, which falls away on both sides and is protected by bunkers. Often played in a left-to-right wind. Ranked ninth-hardest in 2008.
Hole 5: Par four, 346 yards
Risk-and-reward hole featuring a dogleg to the right. The safest tactic is to hit an iron to the corner of the dogleg and then a wedge or short-iron into a green protected by seven bunkers. Ranked 15th-hardest in 2008.
Hole 6: Par four, 499 yards
Players who bisect the bunkers on both sides of the landing area will be left with a shot of around 200-220 yards into a green, which sits above the fairway. Ranked the hardest hole in 2008.
Hole 7: Par three, 177 yards
Requires an accurate tee shot from an elevated tee to a small green, which is shaped like an upturned saucer and is protected by sand. Ranked 11th-hardest in 2008.
Hole 8: Par four, 458 yards
Four bunkers are built into the landing area and a further three up at the green. Club selection for the approach to the green is vital. Ranked 16th-hardest in 2008.
Hole 9: Par four, 416 yards
A blind tee shot to a narrow fairway, but there are no fairway bunkers. Ranked 13th-hardest in 2008.
Hole 10: Par four, 402 yards
The tee shot will carry three bunkers, but not enough to reach two more built into the corner of the dogleg. From there the hole turns sharply left. Ranked fourth-hardest in 2008.
Hole 11: Par four, 436 yards
Plays into the prevailing wind and requires an accurate tee shot to avoid bunkers on both sides of the fairway. A ditch waits for players who hit right off the tee. Ranked third-hardest in 2008.
Hole 12: Par three, 183 yards
The most memorable hole on the course. Deep bunkers and banks of rough grass guard the left and right of the green. Ranked eighth-hardest in 2008.
Hole 13: Par four, 499 yards
This long par four has eight fairway bunkers and three more left and right of a large green. A demanding hole made more difficult by deep rough to the rear of the green. Ranked seventh-hardest in 2008.
Hole 14: Par three, 200 yards
Five greenside bunkers mean accuracy is paramount and the challenge is compounded by a series of grassy swales, which protect the putting surface. Ranked 10th-hardest in 2008.
Hole 15: Par 5, 542 yards
Yielded 92 birdies and one eagle in 2008, but also saw 85 bogeys, 20 double-bogeys and three ‘others’. Ranked the second-easiest in 2008.
Hole 16: Par four, 438 yards
Requires an accurate second shot into an elevated green, surrounded by five bunkers. Ranked fifth-hardest in 2008.
Hole 17: Par five, 567 yards
Three bunkers protect a long and narrow green. Ranked the easiest hole in 2008, with 201 birdies or better.
Hole 18: Par four, 473 yards
Long par four protected by two fairway bunkers and out-of-bounds down the right. Ranked 12th-hardest in 2008.
