The Open: What’s new ahead of Royal Birkdale: Bonus events, course changes, different features and everything you need to know | Golf News

The world’s best players head to Royal Birkdale for The Open, with many new additions – on and off the course – to watch for among the biggest events in the sporting calendar.

A record crowd is expected on Merseyside for the final men’s medal of the year, with more than 300,000 fans in the week of the tournament, as Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion after winning last year in Northern Ireland.

Scheffler could become the first back-to-back winner of The Open since Padraig Harrington, who also came to Royal Birkdale in 2008, while Rory McIlroy is among the favorites to secure a second major victory of the season.

Tommy Fleetwood will aim to end England’s 34-year wait for a winner at The Open, in his home town and at the venue that will host the historic event for the 11th time – more than any other venue other than St Andrews.

In front of a star-studded field vying for the coveted Golf of the Year title, live on Sky Sportswe pick five new features that make this year’s Open Championship different from any other…

Royal Birkdale saw the first round of ’62’ in men’s major history when it last hosted the Open in 2017, with the course since undergoing significant changes ahead of this year’s event.

The practice area where Jordan Spieth dropped – and saved a brilliant bogey – during his 2017 win is no longer a playing area, while the par-three 14th – where he birdied his final round – has been completely removed.

The previous 15th hole is now the 14th as the length of the par-five, with the next hole a 240-yard par-three described by McIlroy as ‘going to be a big talking point’, while other changes include the fifth being shortened to a 4-over.

A smaller green was added to the par-three seventh and the 18th hole tee box was removed to make the photo finish more challenging. The upgraded Birkdale is ready to welcome the world’s best.

The field for The Open is usually set up on Sunday evening, once the Genesis Scottish Open and that week’s PGA Tour event in the United States have been completed, but there is a new last-minute opportunity for one lucky player to secure a major berth.

The inaugural Last Chance Playoff will see 12 players compete on Monday morning for the final spot on the field, with Wesley Bryan – one part of the popular Bryan Bros YouTube channel – among those competing.

All those playing narrowly missed Final Qualifying, impressed in the Amateur Championship or fell just short of the cut-off by world standards, had the lowest score over 18 holes and finished the 156-man field.

Expect drama and excitement, with a playoff – if necessary – to decide who takes that spot.

The first Heroes Classic event will see past Champion Golfers of the Year and European Ryder Cup stars compete alongside the stars of other sports and entertainment in an exclusive new team tournament.

Scheffler will be joined in the field by Spieth and Harrington, two former winners of The Open at Royal Birkdale, while Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose will also feature.

AIG Women’s Open Champion Miyu Yamashita, past Novice Women’s Champion Paula Martín Sampedro and G4D Open Champion Brendan Lawlor are among the other invitees, including rugby legend Bryan Habana.

The event will be played in three groups and on these three holes at Royal Birkdale on Tuesday afternoon, live on Sky Sportswith the first, second and ninth holes used and the Texas Scramble format – where the best shot from each team is used – works.

Players often praise UK golf fans for their behavior and understanding of golf, but viewers this week will have to follow a new code of conduct to avoid any crowd disturbances.

Brian Harman received boos from fans when he won the Open at Royal Liverpool and Scheffler faced the same at Royal Portrush, while Wyndham Clark faced a hostile reception from the New York crowd during his US Open victory last month.

Open Commitment encourages everyone present to ‘play their part in protecting culture’, there are signs on the course telling fans to respect the players, respect the links, respect each other, be aware and enjoy responsibly.

Spectators have been warned they risk being kicked off the course for serious or repeated breaches of duty, although the R&A hopes the new rules will keep The Open a ‘welcoming, inclusive and memorable experience’ for all.

Sky Sports is also the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with over 75 hours of live coverage across seven days of tournament week and new ways to follow the action.

As well as the usual Live at the Range and Featured Group feeds during the tournament, this year’s show will feature a new ‘player feed’ which will follow the marquee player every shot and minute of the round.

One player in the first and second rounds will be the focus of the new player broadcast available around 3pm on Thursday and Friday Sky Sports+. A chance to be closer than ever to one of the biggest names in the game.

There will be at least 15 hours of coverage for both of the first two rounds, with bonus feeds available on Sky Sports+ or Sky Sports Appand extended testimony will begin at 9am on Saturday July 18 and at 8am on Sunday July 19.

Watch the 154th Open Championship, from Royal Birkdale, live on Sky Sports from July 16-19. Don’t have Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream golf without a contract NOW.