For golf’s legends, the Southport links of Royal Birkdale are truly iconic. This coastal course offers a pathway to greatness, challenging even the most skilled and nervy players. Its legacy began in 1954 when Peter Thomson claimed his first of five Open titles here, raising the Claret Jug in triumph. For seven decades, the course has regularly hosted the Open, with each champion earning the coveted “Champion Golfer of the Year” title. Royal Birkdale consistently elevates the game’s best, forging legends and writing history. In 2026, for the eleventh time, the world’s greatest golfers will converge on these iconic Merseyside links, seeking to etch their names into golf’s storied past.