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World No. 9 Tommy Fleetwood Targets First Major at Birkdale

7/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Tommy Fleetwood, world No. 9, is playing the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in pursuit of his first major title.
He told reporters he only snuck onto Royal Birkdale once or twice as a child and said the redesigned fifth hole and the new par-three 15th are the most noticeable changes.
A 50-metre mural of Fleetwood hangs near Royal Birkdale, reflecting local enthusiasm.

History

Historical Context

Royal Birkdale Golf Club, founded in 1889 and granted Royal status in 1951, hosted its first Open Championship in 1954 and has staged ten Opens through 2017. Renovations by three generations of Hawtree architects, notably a 1993 green rebuild, keep the links competitive. The R&A will hold the 2026 Open—its 11th at Birkdale—while world No. 9 Tommy Fleetwood prepares for the event.

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Story summary

Tommy Fleetwood, world No. 9, is playing the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in pursuit of his first major title.
He told reporters he only snuck onto Royal Birkdale once or twice as a child and said the redesigned fifth hole and the new par-three 15th are the most noticeable changes.
A 50-metre mural of Fleetwood hangs near Royal Birkdale, reflecting local enthusiasm.

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