SOUTHPORT, England — How far the golf ball goes has been debated for the past 20 years, and distance is likely to be a big concern this week at the 154th British Open, with one significant twist.
It’s not how far shots are going in the air at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. It’s what happens when they get on the ground.
And with links golf, that’s not always easy to control, especially this week.
“You can’t judge every single bounce perfectly,” said Justin Rose, the 45-year-old Englishman whose best finish at golf’s oldest major championship tournament was a tie for second in 2018 and again in 2024. “But you have to accept the nature of a links golf course. There’s going to be some good bounces, bad bounces. Just keep playing with a big of freedom and creativity, especially this week.
“You’re going to get a few funny bounces here or there. That’s all part of it.”