The 154th Open Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale in 2026.
The iconic Southport links have previously hosted golf’s original championship on 10 occasions, the last of which was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth emerged victorious in a memorable final-round duel with Matt Kuchar to lift the Claret Jug for the first time.
Spieth joined a celebrated roll of champion golfers at Royal Birkdale, including Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O'Meara and Padraig Harrington.
The news comes as Royal Liverpool in Hoylake prepares to host the 151st Open at the end of this month. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said the Open is one of sporting's "crown jewels" and to host it "not just once - but twice in three years - is an incredible achievement" for Merseyside.
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Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: "We are delighted that Royal Birkdale and Sefton will once again be the stage for this fantastic global golf Championship. Fans from across the world will get the chance to see some golfing legends tee off from the fabulous setting of Royal Birkdale.
“Combining accommodation, food and drink, leisure facilities and transport links, millions of pounds will be spent in the local economy in the run-up to and during the Championship which is hugely wonderful news. The Open is very much a family event and we are expecting thousands of people of all ages to enjoy the Championship and all the excellent facilities Southport and Sefton have to offer."
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “Royal Birkdale is a world-class championship venue and its outstanding links will once again provide the world’s best men’s professional golfers with a tough but fair test of their talents and capabilities as they compete for the Claret Jug."
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