The Open returns to Royal Birkdale with a scorched course and new challenges

The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is underway, with a firm, sunbaked links course presenting a severe test for the field.

• Rory McIlroy described Royal Birkdale as "as linksy as links gets" and said he could play the course more aggressively.
• Jon Rahm said the new par‑three 15th hole would play "very, very difficult" and that organisers clearly wanted to make the course harder.
• The R&A has warned it will enforce consequences for unruly behaviour by players and spectators during the championship.
• The R&A expects 300,000 attendees at the Open, which returns to Birkdale for the first time since Jordan Spieth won in 2017.