Birkdale and Carnoustie get nod

The Open Championship will be held at Royal Birkdale in 2017 and Carnoustie the following year.

Birkdale last hosted the Open in 2008 when Pádraig Harrington won his second consecutive Claret Jug after claiming his first at Carnoustie a year earlier.

The oldest major will begin on July 17 at Royal Liverpool and then moves to St Andrew’s in 2015 and staying in Scotland at Royal Troon the following year.

The 2017 Championship in Southport will begin on July 20, while Carnoustie will start on July 19 the year after.

Carnoustie hosted the tournament for the first time in 24 years in 1999 when Paul Lawrie won a play-off following Jean van de Velde’s three-shot collapse on the final hole.