The 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale is shaping up to be an "unusual" tournament due to exceptionally dry and warm conditions along the Northwest England coast, leading to firm fairways and a course that is expected to produce unpredictable bounces.
These dry conditions will necessitate strategic decision-making from players, particularly regarding club selection off the tee. U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark noted the importance of a "good caddie to tell you how far the ball is rolling out" and the need for strategic ball-striking. He suggested that a 4-iron could travel over 300 yards, forcing players to consider hazards and landing areas carefully. Clark, who enjoys courses with a similar strategic emphasis to Shinnecock, expressed personal enjoyment for majors that demand such thoughtfulness.
Scottie Scheffler echoed these sentiments, describing how the ball will "run forever" on the tight fairways. He highlighted that cross-winds could make holding the greens difficult due to the speed and firmness of the turf. Scheffler also anticipates that players will face choices between hitting drivers and potentially ending up in the rough, or opting for irons and playing longer approach shots into the greens.
Jon Rahm characterized the week as "weather-wise, a very unusual week" and anticipates a diverse range of challenges, including the use of 6-irons off the tee and long irons into par-4s. He emphasized the critical importance of understanding how the ball will react and where it needs to land to set up putts. Rahm also pointed out that course modifications, including narrowed fairways, added bunkers, and moved fairways closer to hazards, have increased the course's difficulty on top of the challenging weather.
Rahm cautioned against a strategy of exclusively hitting drivers, stating that while it might work in the short term or for a single round, over four rounds, it is likely to lead to difficult situations and penalties. Rory McIlroy, however, welcomed the conditions for the options they create, suggesting that introducing doubt into players' decision-making processes makes for a more engaging viewing experience and a "good championship test."
Tommy Fleetwood described the conditions as evoking an "old-school Open" with its characteristic brown aesthetic and firm playing style.
