Rory McIlroy feels baked Open course is ‘double-edged sword’ as strategies shift

Rory McIlroy during a preview day ahead of The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA

Royal Birkdale is set to be the fastest and most fiery Open Championship of recent years and that has the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler considering their strategy.

Players said fairways are as firm as Carnoustie 2018 and while Muirfield in 2013 was fast, probably the closest in terms of overall conditions and weather was 28 miles down the coast at Royal Liverpool in 2006.