The Open is heading back to the venue of Jordan Spieth's epic 13th hole recovery

The R&A have announced Royal Birkdale will host the 154th Open Championship, returning to the venue of Jordan Spieth's epic shot.

Ben Smith

11 Jul 2023

The Open is heading back to the venue of Jordan Spieth's epic 13th hole recovery! — The Open is heading back to the venue of Jordan Spieth's epic 13th hole…

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club have announced 154^th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale.

The iconic Southport links has previously hosted golf's original championship on ten 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.

The American 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.

Spieth etched himself into Open Championship folklore with his epic recovery shot at the 13th hole en route to claiming his maiden Open.

The American took nearly 20 minutes to hit his second shot having struck his tee shot way, way right. He saved bogey and went on to win by three strokes.

The 154th Open will be played over 12-19 July in 2026.

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.

"It has produced many memorable moments that are woven into the story of this historic Championship, including a dramatic final round in 2017 when Jordan Spieth won for the first time.

"We look forward to another special occasion in three years and it will be fascinating to see which player will emerge to join a list of renowned Champion Golfers to have won at Royal Birkdale."

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Wayward again...@jordanspieth finds the rough from the 13th tee. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/rqEHekwL8F
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2017

Remarkable recovery from @jordanspieth. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/VAR5J3lsgp
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2017

Meanwhile on the range...
Jordan's getting ready to hit his 3rd shot on the par-4 13th. pic.twitter.com/UtyyqqPpHO
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 23, 2017

Andrew Maxwell, captain of Royal Birkdale and chairman of the Championship Committee, said:

"We are thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as the host venue for The Open in 2026. Royal Birkdale Golf Club has a rich history with The Open having hosted it ten times previously.

"We look forward to welcoming the world's best golfers to our magnificent course and providing them with a true test of links golf. The Club is already working hard to ensure that The Open in 2026 will be an unforgettable event for players, spectators and fans around the globe."

The leading players from the men's professional game are gearing up for the 151st Open Championship. The first round begins next Thursday at Royal Liverpool.

Cameron Smith is the defending champion. Smith claimed his maiden major at St. Andrews last July.

Rory McIlroy is the favourite to win despite last tasting major championship success at the 2014 PGA Championship.

McIlroy also won the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool.

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