The fairways at Royal Birkdale are dry, brown, and very firm ahead of this week’s Open Championship. The course has received very little rain since the second half of June. Warm and sunny weather has continued into early July.

The dry conditions have changed the way the course will play. Golf balls are expected to roll much farther after landing. Players will have to think carefully about every shot because the firm fairways can also produce unexpected bounces.

Many believe the course looks similar to famous Open venues in recent years. The conditions remind fans of St. Andrews in 2022, Carnoustie in 2018, and Royal Liverpool in 2006. In those tournaments, players used low shots and smart course management to handle the fast-running fairways.

Nearby Royal Lytham & St. Annes has also been affected by the dry weather. Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert recently practiced there to prepare for links golf. If the dry spell continues, the Women’s Open at Lytham could also be played on very firm fairways.

At Royal Birkdale, the brown fairways are expected to be the biggest challenge this week. Players who control their shots well and adjust to the fast conditions could have the best chance of winning the Open Championship.