The 2008 Open Championship sees a return to Royal Birkdale, scene of Mark O'Meara's Open triumph back in 1998. Situated just outside Liverpool, this is the 9th time The Open Championship has been to this golf course. The most famous victory here was probably that of Australian, Ian Baker-Finch but previous winners on this course include Peter Thomson and the great Arnold Palmer along with American duo Lee Trevino and Tom Watson.

The course is a par 70 with the front 9 playing to a par of 34 and par 36 for the back 9. Ian Baker-Finch's eight under par total here in 1991 is the lowest score in an Open Championship here while Peter Thomson's total of 285 is the highest score at five over par. Mark O'Meara won here with a level par 280 ten years ago. At just 7173 yards this is a golf course that suits all styles of golf be it long hitters or short hitters. Accuracy off the tee is probably more crucial here than any other Open Championship course with so many doglegs.