The early stages of construction are underway at Royal Liverpool Golf Course ahead of The Open this summer.

The Hoylake course has undergone a variety of changes in preparation for the Championship that starts in July 20, including A new par-3 will play as the 17th hole. The 140-yard hole has been built with the scenic Dee Estuary as the backdrop.

In total, six holes have been subject to changes which include a variation in course lengths, relocated and elevated greens, additional run off areas as well as trees being reduced in size.

 

It will be the first time that the tournament returns to the Wirral since Rory McIlroy was victorious in 2014. Prior to that, Tiger Woods won his second consecutive Open Championship here in 2006.

This year is set to be the 13th occasion that Royal Liverpool will host The Open. In preparation for the competition, 50 Greenkeepers from across the United Kingdom will gather at Hoylake to ensure the course is up to the best standard.

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) announced that all ground staff are volunteers and that everyone who helped at St Andrews last year were able to volunteer again, emphasising the great work they did in 2022.

In a statement, BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “The team at Royal Liverpool has the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of St Andrews, who created a historic championship.

“I am confident that the team will set a world class stage for what is sure to be an exciting event. I’m thankful to The R&A for once again inviting so many BIGGA members to participate in The Open support team, particularly given we have so many first time members this year.

“Is there a better way of inspiring the next generation of greenkeepers and showcasing what can be achieved in your career with a lot of hard work and dedication, than an up-close look at the world’s greatest major championship?”

The course, located on Meols Drive, has hosted some magical golfing moments. From Robert Di Vicenzo’s winning putt in 1967 to Rory McIlroy’s final hole in 2014. Merseyside-born Tommy Fleetwood will be desperate to add his name to the list by winning his first British Open having finished second behind Max Faulkner, in 2019.

Once the green is finished, it will be time for the grand stands to be put in place. There will be 20,000 grand stand seats available everyday for spectators. The grand stand will be built around the 18th hole due to the positioning of the club house.

Royal Liverpool Louis White
Royal Liverpool will host the 151st Open Championship / Photo Credit: Louis White

It was confirmed that members of LIV Golf – the controversial Saudi Arabia backed breakaway competition – have been granted permission to compete in this year’s Open. Thousands will be travelling to the Wirral to watch LIV golfers compete with PGA, European and Japanese golfers on the same tour again.

With just under four months to go until tee off, the excitement across Merseyside is growing in anticipation for the 151st Open Championship.

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