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2008 Open Championship
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 17–20 July 2008 |
| Location | Southport, England |
| Course | Royal Birkdale Golf Club |
| Organized by | The R&A |
| Tour(s) | European Tour PGA Tour Japan Golf Tour |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 70[1] |
| Length | 7,173 yards (6,559 m)[1] |
| Field | 156 players, 83 after cut[1] |
| Cut | 149 (+9)[1] |
| Prize fund | £4,200,000[2] €5,335,867 $8,161,174 |
| Winner's share | £750,000 €938,565 $1,498,875 |
| Champion | |
 Pádraig Harrington | |
| 283 (+3) | |
Southport
Location in England
Royal Birkdale
Golf Club
Golf Club
The 2008 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 137th Open Championship, played from 17 to 20 July at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. Pádraig Harrington successfully defended his Open Championship title, his second; he shot four under par over the final nine holes and was four strokes ahead of runner-up Ian Poulter.[3] Harrington was the last golfer to win the same major back-to-back for a decade until Brooks Koepka won consecutive U.S. Opens in 2017 and 2018.
Television coverage was provided as usual by the BBC in the UK, and by ABC and TNT in the United States.
Field
[edit]World Number One Tiger Woods was the most notable absentee, as he was recovering from knee surgery following his victory at the U.S. Open.
About two-thirds of the field each year consists of players that are fully exempt from qualifying for the Open. Below is the list of the exemption categories and the players who are exempt. Each player is classified according to the first category by which he qualified, but other categories are shown in parentheses. Some categories are not shown as all players in that category had already qualified from an earlier category:[4]
1. First 10 and anyone tying for 10th place in the 2007 Open Championship
K. J. Choi (7,15,19), Stewart Cink (7,19), Ben Curtis (3,4), Ernie Els (3,4,5,7,15,19), Sergio García (5,7,14,15), Richard Green, Pádraig Harrington (3,4,5,7), Hunter Mahan (7,15,19), Andrés Romero (5,7), Steve Stricker (7,15,19), Mike Weir (7,19)
2. Past Open Champions born between 20 July 1942 and 19 July 1948
(Eligible but not competing: Tony Jacklin, Johnny Miller, Tom Weiskopf)
3. Past Open Champions aged 60 or under on 20 July 2008
Mark Calcavecchia (15), John Daly, David Duval (4), Todd Hamilton (4), Paul Lawrie (4), Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard (7), Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman, Mark O'Meara (4), Tom Watson (28)
(Eligible but not competing: Ian Baker-Finch, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Nick Price, Bill Rogers, Tiger Woods)
4. The Open Champions for 1998-2007
5. First 20 in the PGA European Tour Final Order of Merit for 2007
Ángel Cabrera (7,11,19), Paul Casey (7), Nick Dougherty, Niclas Fasth (7), Retief Goosen (7,11,19), Anders Hansen (6), Søren Hansen (7), Peter Hanson, Grégory Havret, Søren Kjeldsen, Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose (7,15), Henrik Stenson (7), Richard Sterne (7), Graeme Storm, Lee Westwood (7)
6. The BMW PGA Championship winners for 2006-2008
David Howell, Miguel Ángel Jiménez (7)
7. The first 50 players on the Official World Golf Rankings for Week 21, 2008
Robert Allenby, Stephen Ames (14), Stuart Appleby (19), Woody Austin (15,19), Aaron Baddeley (15), Tim Clark, Jim Furyk (15,19,23), J. B. Holmes, Trevor Immelman (12,19), Zach Johnson (12,15,19), Robert Karlsson, Martin Kaymer, Anthony Kim, Phil Mickelson (12,13,14,15,19), Geoff Ogilvy (11,15,19), Sean O'Hair, Rod Pampling, Ian Poulter, Jeff Quinney, Rory Sabbatini (15,19), Adam Scott (15,19), Vijay Singh (13,15,19), Brandt Snedeker (15), Scott Verplank (15,19), Boo Weekley, Oliver Wilson
(Eligible but not competing: Shingo Katayama, Luke Donald withdrew prior to start of tournament with a wrist injury,[5] Toru Taniguchi withdrew prior to start of tournament with a back injury[6])
8. First 3 and anyone tying for 3rd place, not exempt having applied above, in the top 20 of the 2008 PGA European Tour Order of Merit on completion of the 2008 BMW PGA Championship
Richard Finch, Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane
9. First 2 European Tour members and any European Tour members tying for 2nd place, not exempt, in a cumulative money list taken from all official PGA European Tour events from OWGR Week 19 up to and including the Open de France and including the U.S. Open
Pablo Larrazábal, Scott Strange
10. The leading player, not exempt having applied above, in the first 5 and ties of each of the 2008 European Open and the 2008 Barclays Scottish Open.
David Frost, Simon Khan
11. The U.S. Open Champions for 2004-2008
Michael Campbell
12. The U.S. Masters Champions for 2004-2008
13. The U.S. PGA Champions for 2003-2007
(Eligible but not competing: Shaun Micheel)
14. The U.S. PGA Tour Players Champions for 2006-2008
15. Top 20 on the Official Money List of the 2007 PGA Tour
Charles Howell III (19)
16. First 3 and anyone tying for 3rd place, not exempt having applied above, in the top 20 of the Official Money List of the 2008 PGA Tour on completion of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Bart Bryant, Ryuji Imada
17. First 2 PGA Tour members and any PGA Tour members tying for 2nd place, not exempt, in a cumulative money list taken from The Players Championship and the five PGA Tour events leading up to and including the 2008 AT&T National
Rocco Mediate
(Eligible but not competing: Kenny Perry[7][8])
18. The leading player, not exempt having applied above, in the first 5 and ties of each of the 2008 AT&T National and the 2008 John Deere Classic
Freddie Jacobson, Jay Williamson
19. Playing members of the 2007 Presidents Cup teams
Lucas Glover, Nick O'Hern (David Toms withdrew prior to start of tournament[9])
20. First place on the 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit
Liang Wenchong
21. First 2 on the Order of Merit of the PGA Tour of Australasia for 2007
Craig Parry, David Smail
22. First place on the Order of Merit of the Southern Africa Sunshine Tour for 2007
James Kingston
23. The RBC Canadian Open Champion for 2007
24. The Japan Open Champion for 2007
25. First 2 on the Official Money List of the Japan Golf Tour for 2007
Brendan Jones, Hideto Tanihara
26. The leading 4 players, not exempt, in the 2008 Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic
Michio Matsumura, Prayad Marksaeng, Yoshinobu Tsukada, Azuma Yano
27. First 2 and anyone tying for 2nd place, not exempt having applied (26) above, in a cumulative money list taken from all official Japan Golf Tour events from the 2008 Japan PGA Championship up to and including the 2008 Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic
Hiroshi Iwata, Shintaro Kai
28. The Senior British Open Champion for 2007
29. The 2008 Amateur Champion
Reinier Saxton (a)
30. The U.S. Amateur Champion for 2007
(Colt Knost turned professional and forfeited his invitation.)
31. The European Individual Amateur Champion for 2007
Benjamin Hébert (a)
International Final Qualifying
- Africa: Josh Cunliffe, Darren Fichardt, Doug McGuigan, Hennie Otto
- Australasia: Peter Fowler, Brad Lamb, Ewan Porter, Andrew Tampion
- Asia: Adam Blyth, Danny Chia, Lam Chih Bing, Angelo Que
- America: Craig Barlow, Rich Beem, Alex Čejka, Tom Gillis, Paul Goydos, Matt Kuchar, Doug LaBelle II, Michael Letzig, Davis Love III, Scott McCarron, Jeff Overton, Tim Petrovic, John Rollins, Kevin Stadler
- Europe: Thomas Aiken, Phillip Archer, Peter Baker, Grégory Bourdy, Ariel Cañete, Simon Dyson, Pelle Edberg, Johan Edfors, Ross Fisher, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, David Horsey, José-Filipe Lima, Alex Norén, Simon Wakefield, Anthony Wall, Paul Waring, Steve Webster, Martin Wiegele
Local Final Qualifying (Monday 7 July and Tuesday 8 July)
- Hillside: Rohan Blizard (a), Jamie Elson, Jean van de Velde, Chris Wood (a)
- Southport and Ainsdale: Jon Bevan, Gary Boyd, Jamie Howarth, Tom Sherreard (a)
- West Lancashire: Peter Appleyard, Barry Hume, Jonathan Lomas, Philip Walton
Alternates
- Camilo Villegas - took spot not taken by Kenny Perry[8]
- Pat Perez - replaced Luke Donald[5]
- Jerry Kelly - replaced David Toms[9]
- Heath Slocum - replaced Toru Taniguchi[6]
Venue
[edit]Course layout
[edit]| Tee | Rating/Slope | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yards | n/a | 450 | 421 | 451 | 201 | 346 | 499 | 178 | 457 | 414 | 3417 | 408 | 436 | 184 | 499 | 201 | 544 | 439 | 572 | 473 | 3756 | 7,173 |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 70 |
Source:
Lengths of the course for previous Opens:[1]
Round summaries
[edit]First round
[edit]Thursday, 17 July 2008
Rocco Mediate, 2008 U.S. Open runner-up, shot a one-under par round of 69 to take the 18-hole lead alongside Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby. One shot back at even-par was 53-year old two-time champion Greg Norman with fellow countryman Adam Scott.
| Place | Player | Score | To par |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 |  Robert Allenby |
69 | −1 |
 Graeme McDowell
| |||
 Rocco Mediate
| |||
| T4 | Bart Bryant |
70 | E |
| Greg Norman
| |||
| Adam Scott
| |||
| T7 | Jim Furyk |
71 | +1 |
 Retief Goosen
| |||
 Peter Hanson
| |||
 Grégory Havret
| |||
| Freddie Jacobson
| |||
 Simon Wakefield
| |||
| Anthony Wall
| |||
 Mike Weir
|
Second round
[edit]Friday, 18 July 2008
The cut was at 149 (+9) and 83 advanced, including Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, who played in the terrible morning conditions in the first round.
| Place | Player | Score | To par |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  K. J. Choi |
72-67=139 | −1 |
| 2 | Greg Norman |
70-70=140 | E |
| 3 |  Camilo Villegas |
76-65=141 | +1 |
| T4 | Robert Allenby |
69-73=142 | +2 |
| David Duval |
73-69=142 | ||
| Jim Furyk |
71-71=142 | ||
| Pádraig Harrington |
74-68=142 | ||
| Graeme McDowell |
69-73=142 | ||
| Rocco Mediate |
69-73=142 | ||
| Alex Norén |
72-70=142 |
Amateurs: Wood (+5), Sherreard (+6), Hébert (+12), Blizard (+15), Saxton (+17).
Third round
[edit]Saturday, 19 July 2008
Greg Norman, age 53, became the oldest to hold at least a share of the 54-hole lead (it lasted just one year, as Tom Watson led after three rounds in 2009 at age 59). Due to extremely high winds, there were no under-par rounds, and it was first time since 1986 when the 54-hole leader was not under par.
| Place | Player | Score | To par |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greg Norman |
70-70-72=212 | +2 |
| T2 | K. J. Choi |
72-67-75=214 | +4 |
| Pádraig Harrington |
74-68-72=214 | ||
| 4 | Simon Wakefield |
71-74-70=215 | +5 |
| T5 | Ben Curtis |
78-69-70=217 | +7 |
| Ross Fisher |
72-74-71=217 | ||
| Anthony Kim |
72-74-71=217 | ||
| Alex Norén |
72-70-75=217 | ||
| T9 | Robert Allenby |
69-73-76=218 | +8 |
| Rocco Mediate |
69-73-76=218 | ||
| Ian Poulter |
72-71-75=218 | ||
| Henrik Stenson |
76-72-70=218 | ||
| Graeme Storm |
76-70-72=218 | ||
| Chris Wood (a) |
75-70-73=218 |
Final round
[edit]Sunday, 20 July 2008
Despite a wrist injury that almost forced him to withdraw prior to the tournament, Pádraig Harrington successfully defended his Open Championship title.[11] Harrington pulled away from the field with a tremendous back nine and became only the fifth to repeat at the Open in the last fifty years. Runner-up Ian Poulter matched Harrington's 69 and was four strokes back, while Greg Norman faltered with eight bogeys for 77 and tied for third place with Henrik Stenson.[12]
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Money (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pádraig Harrington |
74-68-72-69=283 | +3 | 750,000 |
| 2 | Ian Poulter |
72-71-75-69=287 | +7 | 450,000 |
| T3 | Greg Norman |
70-70-72-77=289 | +9 | 255,000 |
| Henrik Stenson |
76-72-70-71=289 | |||
| T5 | Jim Furyk |
71-71-77-71=290 | +10 | 180,000 |
| Chris Wood (a) |
75-70-73-72=290 | 0 | ||
| T7 | Robert Allenby |
69-73-76-74=292 | +12 | 96,450 |
| Stephen Ames |
73-70-78-71=292 | |||
| Paul Casey |
78-71-73-70=292 | |||
| Ben Curtis |
78-69-70-75=292 | |||
| Ernie Els |
80-69-74-69=292 | |||
| David Howell |
76-71-78-67=292 | |||
| Robert Karlsson |
75-73-75-69=292 | |||
| Anthony Kim |
72-74-71-75=292 | |||
| Steve Stricker |
77-71-71-73=292 |
Source:[13]
Amateurs: Wood (+10), Sherreard (+14).
- (a) denotes amateur
Scorecard
[edit]Final round
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Harrington |
+4 | +4 | +4 | +4 | +4 | +4 | +5 | +6 | +7 | +7 | +7 | +7 | +6 | +6 | +5 | +5 | +3 | +3 |
| Poulter |
+9 | +9 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +9 | +9 | +8 | +8 | +8 | +8 | +8 | +7 | +7 | +7 |
| Norman |
+3 | +4 | +5 | +5 | +5 | +6 | +6 | +6 | +6 | +7 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +9 | +8 | +8 | +8 | +9 |
| Stenson |
+9 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +10 | +9 | +9 | +8 | +9 |
| Furyk |
+10 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +10 |
| Wood |
+8 | +8 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +9 | +8 | +8 | +7 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +9 | +10 |
| Choi |
+5 | +5 | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 | +10 | +10 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +11 | +10 | +9 | +13 |
Cumulative tournament scores, relative to par
| Eagle | Birdie | Bogey | Double bogey | Triple bogey+ |
Source:[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Media guide". The Open Championship. 2011. pp. 21, 203. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ "British Open coverage on MSNBC". Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2008.
- ^ "Luck of the Irish not necessary". Union-Democrat. Sonora, California. Associated Press. 21 July 2008. p. B1.
- ^ "Exempt Players". OpenGolf. Archived from the original on 11 July 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
- ^ a b "Donald out of British Open with wrist injury". Archived from the original on 13 July 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
- ^ a b Slocum's prayers answered with Taniguchi's withdrawal
- ^ "Kenny Perry facing criticism for skipping British Open". Archived from the original on 13 July 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
- ^ a b Field for the British Open
- ^ a b "Kelly gets spot in British Open after Toms withdraws". Archived from the original on 13 July 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
- ^ "Palmer takes British crown". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. 16 July 1961. p. 1B.
- ^ "Shark tanks, Padraig defends Open title". Retrieved 21 July 2008.
- ^ Hodgetts, Rob (20 July 2008). "Brilliant Harrington retains Open". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
- ^ "2008 Open Championship". PGA of America. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ "British Open Championship". ESPN. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
External links
[edit]2008 Open Championship
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Tournament Details
Dates and Format
The 2008 Open Championship, marking the 137th edition of golf's oldest major, was held from July 17 to 20 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.[2] Organized by The R&A, the tournament served as an official event on the European Tour, PGA Tour, and Japan Golf Tour schedules, drawing top professional players from around the world.[5][6] The event employed the traditional format of 72-hole stroke play contested over four consecutive rounds, beginning Thursday morning and concluding Sunday evening.[2] After the initial 36 holes, a cut reduced the field to the top 70 scorers and ties, with players at +9 or better advancing to the weekend rounds; in 2008, this resulted in 83 competitors proceeding.[7] The Royal Birkdale course was configured as a par-70 layout measuring 7,173 yards in total length, presenting a stern test with its links-style challenges.[8] Pádraig Harrington entered the championship as the defending champion, having secured victory at Carnoustie in 2007 with a dramatic playoff win over Sergio García.[2] Harrington's title defense added intrigue to the proceedings, as he aimed to join an elite group of back-to-back Open winners.[9]Prize Money and Exemptions
The 2008 Open Championship featured a total prize purse of £4,200,000, equivalent to approximately $8,360,000 USD based on the contemporaneous exchange rate of roughly 1.99 USD per GBP during the event week. This amount represented a continuation from the previous year without increase, reflecting the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) decision to maintain financial incentives amid economic conditions. The winner, Pádraig Harrington, received £750,000, or about $1,492,500 USD, underscoring the event's status as one of golf's premier rewards at the time.[10][4][11] Entry into the 156-player field was governed by a structured set of exemptions designed to ensure participation by top global talent while incorporating qualifiers. Direct exemptions totaled approximately 30 players, primarily drawn from established categories to prioritize elite competitors. These included past Open champions up to age 60—a rule updated in 2008 from the prior limit of 65 to better align with active professional careers—along with the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking as of specified cutoff dates before the tournament. Additional exemptions covered leading money winners from major tours: the top five from the PGA Tour and European Tour seasons to date, and the top two from the Japan Golf Tour, ensuring representation from key international circuits. The remaining spots, about 126, were filled through sectional and final qualifying stages, providing pathways for emerging players and regional standouts.[12][13] This exemption framework balanced tradition with modernity, exempting proven major winners and high-ranked professionals while reserving opportunities for qualifiers to inject competitiveness into the event. For instance, exemptions for tour money leaders highlighted performance-based access from the PGA, European, and Japan tours, fostering a diverse field without over-relying on rankings alone. Final qualifying invitees, often from international events like the Asian or Australasian tours, added further global depth, though the core approximately 30 direct slots emphasized the tournament's prestige for established stars.[12]Qualification and Participants
Qualification Process
The qualification process for the 2008 Open Championship offered non-exempt players several competitive pathways to join the exempt professionals in the 156-player field at Royal Birkdale.[14] Qualifying consisted of multi-stage 36-hole stroke-play events held in June and early July 2008. Regional Qualifying tournaments took place across the United Kingdom, including at venues such as Ferndown Golf Club in Dorset and Lindrick Golf Club in South Yorkshire, with top finishers advancing to subsequent stages.[15] Other sites included Berwick-upon-Tweed Golf Club in Northumberland and Coventry Golf Club in the Midlands, as part of six sectional events designed to identify promising players from a large entry pool.[15] The final stage, Local Final Qualifying, occurred on July 7 and 8, 2008, at four courses near the championship venue: Formby Golf Club, Hillside Golf Club, Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club, and West Lancashire Golf Club. These 36-hole events awarded 16 spots in the main field, with four qualifiers from each site.[16][17] Separate International Final Qualifying events provided additional opportunities for global players. On June 30, 2008, the European event at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire offered 12 spots to the leading finishers from a field of 120, while the American event at two Michigan courses near Detroit awarded 14 places.[14][18] These routes—alongside exemptions for categories such as past Open champions under 65, the top 10 from the 2007 Open, recent major winners, and leading players from the Official World Golf Ranking, European Tour, and PGA Tour—filled the field to 156. Approximately 24 players earned entry through the sectional and final qualifying events combined. After 36 holes of the championship, the cut advanced the top 70 scorers and ties at +9 or better to the weekend rounds, resulting in 83 players proceeding in 2008.[14][5]Field Composition and Absences
The 156-player field for the 2008 Open Championship was assembled through a combination of approximately 104 exemptions granted to top-ranked players and past champions, about 40 spots earned via final qualifying events held in June and July, and additional sponsor invitations to round out the entry.[2] This composition included 18 past winners of major championships and 10 former Open champions under the age of 60, underscoring the event's prestige and drawing elite talent from around the world.[2] Among the notable participants was defending champion Pádraig Harrington of Ireland, who entered as the favorite after his 2007 victory at Carnoustie and aimed to join a select group of back-to-back winners.[2] Other prominent major winners in the field included South Africa's Ernie Els, a two-time Open champion with four majors overall, and Fiji's Vijay Singh, the 2004 PGA Championship winner and world No. 3 at the time. Emerging talent was represented by 19-year-old amateur Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, making his professional major debut after a strong amateur career that included low-amateur honors at the 2007 Masters.[2] The most significant absence was world No. 1 Tiger Woods, sidelined by reconstructive surgery on his left knee following his U.S. Open victory in June, marking his first missed major in over a decade.[19] Other high-profile players like Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose competed despite minor injury concerns earlier in the year, but Woods' withdrawal dominated pre-tournament discussions and opened opportunities for the rest of the field.[20] The entry reflected golf's international appeal, with 26 nationalities represented and robust contingents from the United States (over 50 players) and Europe (around 70, including strong British and Irish groups), alongside participants from Asia, Australia, and Africa.[2]Venue and Course
Royal Birkdale Overview
Royal Birkdale Golf Club, located in Southport, Merseyside, England, was established on July 30, 1889, initially as Birkdale Golf Club with a nine-hole course on Shaw Hills behind Bedford Road.[21] The club relocated to its current site along Waterloo Road in 1895 and gained royal patronage in 1951 from King George VI, becoming Royal Birkdale.[21] The course underwent a major redesign in the early 1930s by architect Frederick G. Hawtree and five-time Open Champion J.H. Taylor, transforming it into a classic links layout that winds through towering sand dunes and provides a stern test for elite players.[22] The venue has a storied history with The Open Championship, hosting the event for the tenth time in 2008, following previous stagings in 1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, and 1998.[23] Notable past winners include Peter Thomson in 1954 and 1965, Arnold Palmer in 1961, Lee Trevino in 1971, and Mark O'Meara in 1998, who prevailed in a four-hole playoff against Brian Watts.[23] These championships have showcased the course's reputation for dramatic finishes and resilience against variable coastal conditions, cementing its status as one of the most revered links venues in the Open rotation.[23] For the 2008 edition, Royal Birkdale was configured as a par-70 layout measuring 7,173 yards from the championship tees, emphasizing its links-style challenges such as undulating fairways amid dunes and exposure to prevailing winds that demand precision and adaptability.[24] The course's historical records include Ian Baker-Finch's third-round 64 in the 1991 Open, which stood as the competitive low until surpassed in later events, and iconic moments like the 1998 playoff victory that highlighted the 18th hole's role in deciding outcomes.[25]Course Layout and Challenges
Royal Birkdale Golf Club's course for the 2008 Open Championship measured 7,173 yards with a par of 70, featuring narrow fairways that demanded precision off the tee, often flanked by deep pot bunkers and thick rough. The layout included over 120 bunkers strategically placed to punish errant shots, with fairways averaging around 30 yards wide in key areas, requiring players to favor accuracy over distance. Undulating greens, some elevated and heavily contoured, added complexity to approach shots, while the course's proximity to the Irish Sea exposed it to prevailing westerly winds that could alter club selection dramatically on multiple holes.[26][27] In preparation for the 2008 tournament, the course underwent significant modifications under the guidance of architect Martin Hawtree and the R&A, including the addition of six new championship tees that extended the overall length by 155 yards. Twenty new bunkers were installed—primarily in fairways—along with the redesign of 27 existing ones and the removal of 14, resulting in a total of 123 bunkers. The rough was allowed to grow thick and penal, reaching unmanageable heights in places to severely punish wayward drives, while a new green was constructed at the 17th hole and alterations were made to fairways on seven holes, including shifting the ninth fairway 25 yards left.[28][29][30] Historically, Royal Birkdale has been known for producing high scoring totals during Open Championships in windy conditions, with the 1998 event seeing average round scores exceed 74 due to gusts over 40 mph, and the 2008 tournament featuring a first-round average of 75.88 amid relentless gales and rain. These conditions amplified the course's defensive qualities, often leading to winning scores at or above par, as seen in prior Opens where no player broke par over 72 holes in severe weather.[31][27] The hole-by-hole layout presented a balanced test with a mix of long par-4s, reachable par-5s, and strategic par-3s, emphasizing links-style shot-making. Below is a summary of each hole's par, yardage, and key features:| Hole | Par | Yards | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 450 | Left-bending dogleg with a fairway bunker on the left at 290 yards; two pot bunkers guard the green, out-of-bounds right. |
| 2 | 4 | 421 | Dogleg right with two fairway bunkers in the corner; severe mounding left, six bunkers around a two-tiered green. |
| 3 | 4 | 451 | Slight dogleg right, new left fairway bunkers at 300 yards; four pot bunkers protect the elevated green. |
| 4 | 3 | 201 | Long par-3 into prevailing wind, deep bunkers left and right; new mounds added right for added difficulty. |
| 5 | 4 | 346 | Short, drivable par-4 tempting aggressive play; seven bunkers surround a two-tier green with severe slopes. |
| 6 | 4 | 499 | Lengthened with new tee, pot bunkers at 275 and 300 yards; elevated green amid dunes, demands long, accurate approach. |
| 7 | 3 | 178 | Classic par-3 over dunes, seven bunkers; crowned green with run-offs, unchanged since 1998. |
| 8 | 4 | 457 | Straightaway with new bunkers left and right off the tee; two deep pot bunkers front the large, undulating green. |
| 9 | 4 | 414 | Blind tee shot to dogleg right, mounds and rough right; two bunkers guard the left side of the green. |
| 10 | 4 | 408 | Tee moved right for tighter line, five fairway bunkers; single large greenside bunker, plays into wind. |
| 11 | 4 | 436 | Lengthened 30 yards, new left fairway bunker; four bunkers total, demands fairway finder for approach. |
| 12 | 3 | 184 | Famous downhill par-3 among dunes, four bunkers; green falls away sharply left and right. |
| 13 | 4 | 499 | Brutal length with five fairway bunkers; long iron to green protected by three front bunkers and rough. |
| 14 | 3 | 201 | Elevated tee to green with swale crossing front; deep pot bunkers left, right, and rear. |
| 15 | 5 | 544 | Reachable par-5 but risky, 15 bunkers including clusters at 300 yards; plays into wind, narrow landing area. |
| 16 | 4 | 439 | New 23-yard extension, fairway bunkers left; runoff areas and native grass penalize poor approaches. |
| 17 | 5 | 572 | Long par-5 reachable with wind, bunkers at 300 yards left; new narrow, two-tier green with deep front bunker. |
| 18 | 4 | 473 | Infamous finisher with out-of-bounds and railway sleepers right; three fairway bunkers, green below clubhouse guarded by three pots. |
Weather Conditions
Daily Forecasts and Actuals
The pre-tournament forecast from the Met Office called for mild temperatures ranging from 15-20°C, with winds building to around 30 mph over the weekend and the possibility of rain on the opening day.[32] For the first round on July 17, conditions were overcast with temperatures averaging 18°C and light winds of 10-15 mph, though the morning brought soaking rain and gustier conditions that eased by afternoon.[33][34] The second round on July 18 featured sunny intervals amid temperatures of 20°C, with gusts reaching 25 mph and misting rain, particularly affecting early starters.[35][36] On July 19, the third round saw cloudy skies, temperatures around 17°C, and steady winds of 20-30 mph with occasional showers.[32] The final round on July 20 was marked by strong winds exceeding 30 mph, temperatures of 16°C, and intermittent rain that intensified the challenge.[37] Weather measurements were derived from Met Office reports and on-site anemometers at Royal Birkdale, capturing coastal wind exposure that amplified conditions compared to inland stations.[38][31] These windswept conditions resulted in elevated scoring, with the first round average of 75.88—the highest at Birkdale since 1976.[31]Effects on Gameplay
The persistent strong winds at the 2008 Open Championship, averaging around 25 mph with gusts reaching 40 mph on Saturday, forced players to adopt conservative strategies throughout the tournament. Golfers frequently opted for shorter clubs like 3-irons or 4-irons off the tee instead of drivers to maintain control in the gales, prioritizing accuracy over distance on the links layout. This approach was evident in instances such as Pádraig Harrington's use of a four-iron into the wind on the par-3 fourth hole during the final round, highlighting a shift toward calculated, low-risk shots to avoid errant drives exacerbated by crosswinds. Additionally, gusts increased bunker interactions, as balls were often pushed into traps during approach shots, demanding precise recovery play from players experienced in links conditions.[31][39][40] Scoring trends reflected the weather's severity, with the first round featuring calmer afternoon conditions that allowed lower scores compared to the windy morning starters, resulting in an overall average of 75.88—well above the course par of 70. The final round saw high scores, contributing to a tournament with very few under-par rounds and no player finishing the event below par overall, with the winning total at +3. The cut line was pushed to +9, the highest in Open history at that point, eliminating many contenders and underscoring the conditions' toll on the field. These trends favored seasoned links players like defending champion Harrington and 53-year-old Greg Norman, who led after the third round, over power-focused younger athletes.[31][41][2] Notable incidents further illustrated the wind's disruptive influence, including multiple cases where balls moved on the greens due to gusts, invoking Rule 13.1d for no-penalty replacements after marking. Wind caused delays as officials addressed such occurrences. Overall, the 2008 Open's average wind speeds of 25 mph positioned it among the toughest championships in recent decades, the first since 1999 with no under-par finishers, emphasizing experience and adaptability over raw power.[31][42][32]Round-by-Round Summaries
First Round Highlights
The first round of the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club unfolded under challenging wind conditions, with gales impacting play, especially for morning starters who posted an average score of 77 and included 19 rounds in the 80s along with two withdrawals.[43] Afternoon players encountered slightly calmer winds, enabling more aggressive approaches and resulting in no scores exceeding 79.[43] Rocco Mediate, Graeme McDowell, and Robert Allenby emerged as co-leaders at two under par (69), the only players to break par in the opening round.[43] Mediate capped his round with a chip-in birdie on the par-5 17th and a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th, while McDowell and Allenby each birdied the final two holes to join him atop the leaderboard.[43] Sixteen players sat at one under par, including a strong showing from 53-year-old Greg Norman, who fired a 70 in his major return after a three-year absence.[2][43] Key moments included Canadian Mike Weir's tournament-first eagle on the 17th, where he hit a 5-iron from 198 yards to 12 feet.[43] Early birdies on the par-5s, particularly in the afternoon wave, highlighted aggressive play amid the improving conditions, though the overall field struggled with the links challenges.[43] The round's scoring distribution left 68 players at +3 or better, underscoring a cautious outlook for the cut and emphasizing the need for steady play over the weekend.[43]Second Round Developments
In the second round at Royal Birkdale, K.J. Choi seized the solo lead with a strong 67, bringing his two-round total to 139 (-3) after opening with a 72.[44][9] This performance edged him one stroke ahead of Greg Norman, who held second at 140 (-2) following a steady 70.[44] Several players clustered at even par (142), including Robert Allenby (69-73), Pádraig Harrington (74-68), and Graeme McDowell (69-73), positioning them four strokes back in a tight contention group.[45][9] The cut fell at +9 (149), allowing 83 players to advance to the weekend, a field contraction that intensified the competition amid the links challenges.[44] Notable among the misses was past champion Tom Watson, who finished at +10 (81-70) after struggling in the wind-affected first round.[44] Other high-profile eliminations included Geoff Ogilvy and Vijay Singh, underscoring the course's unforgiving nature even in relatively calmer second-round conditions.[44] Key highlights included Greg Norman's impressive 70 at age 53, which propelled him into second place and sparked discussions of a late-career resurgence just weeks after his wedding.[45][44] Harrington maintained momentum with a steady 68, steadying his position at even par despite an opening 74 and keeping his title defense alive.[9] Camilo Villegas posted the low round of the day with a 65, featuring birdies on the final five holes to vault into third at 141 (-1).[44][45] Although conditions improved from the first round's gales, gusting winds still prompted bogey stretches for many, particularly on exposed holes, contributing to the field's consolidation as scores averaged higher than Villegas's standout effort.[45][44] This shift highlighted emerging contenders like Norman and Villegas while weeding out inconsistencies, setting up a dramatic weekend battle.[45]Third Round Drama
The third round of the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale unfolded amid gale-force winds gusting over 30 mph, transforming the links into a severe test that amplified the tournament's tension and highlighted the underdog narrative surrounding 53-year-old Greg Norman.[2][46] Entering the day one stroke behind halfway leader K.J. Choi, Norman posted a steady 72 to reach 212 (-1 under par), securing a two-shot advantage and positioning himself for a potential historic victory in his 24th Open appearance.[47][2] His performance, marked by resilient play in the blustery conditions, evoked widespread sentimentality as the Australian, absent from major contention for years, evoked memories of his 1986 and 1993 triumphs.[48] K.J. Choi, who had held a one-stroke lead after rounds of 72 and 67, faltered with a 75 to slip to 214 (+1), two shots back, as the wind exacerbated challenges on holes like the par-4 6th and 10th, where back-nine difficulties tested accuracy and composure.[2][9] Defending champion Pádraig Harrington, starting three strokes off the pace, matched Norman's score with a 72 to also reach 214, maintaining pressure on the leader despite a wrist injury that had plagued his preparation.[46][49] Meanwhile, English crowd favorite Ian Poulter carded a 75 to stand at 218 (+5), tied for ninth and six strokes adrift, while compatriot Graeme McDowell endured a tough 80 to fall to 222 (+9), dimming hopes for a home breakthrough after his strong opening 69.[9][50] The atmosphere crackled with excitement over Norman's improbable surge, as the veteran drew cheers from a partisan crowd that balanced support for British contenders with admiration for his resilience against the elements and his age-defying bid.[48][50] With Harrington and Choi lurking two back, and a cluster of six players tied at +5—including Poulter, Henrik Stenson, and Chris Wood—the leaderboard remained compact, setting up a dramatic finale where underdogs vied for glory amid unrelenting wind.[2][9]Final Round Outcome
In the final round at Royal Birkdale, Greg Norman, who held a two-shot lead entering the day after a third-round 72, faltered midway through his back nine.[2] He bogeyed the 10th, 12th, and 14th holes, carding a 77 for the round that dropped him to a total of 289 and a tie for third place alongside Henrik Stenson.[40][9] Pádraig Harrington, starting two strokes back and battling a wrist injury, capitalized on Norman's struggles by posting a steady 69, finishing at 283 to claim the Claret Jug by four shots.[51][9] His birdies on the 13th and 15th helped him seize the lead, and the tournament's defining moment came on the par-5 17th, where he struck a 249-yard 5-wood to within three feet before converting the eagle putt.[2][51] Harrington parred the 18th to seal his victory, becoming the first European to defend the Open title since James Braid in 1906.[40][51] Ian Poulter, starting six shots off the lead, mounted a late charge with a 15-foot birdie on the 16th en route to his own 69, finishing at 287 in solo second place.[51][52][9] Harrington's eagle on 17 effectively ended any remaining suspense, allowing him a celebratory walk up the 18th fairway.[2] Following the round, R&A officials presented Harrington with the Claret Jug on the 18th green, marking his second consecutive Open Championship triumph and solidifying his status among major winners.[51][40]Results and Analysis
Final Standings
Pádraig Harrington of Ireland won the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, finishing at 283 (+3) to claim the title and £750,000 from the total purse of £4,200,000.[2][4] Ian Poulter of England placed second at 287 (+7), earning £450,000.[4] The third-place prize of £290,000 was shared between the tied finishers.[4] Of the 156 players in the field, 83 made the cut after 36 holes at +9 or better, with the top 70 and ties receiving payouts that decreased progressively down the leaderboard.[53] Among the amateurs, England's Chris Wood earned the Silver Medal as low amateur with a tied fifth-place finish at 290 (+10).[2] The following table lists the top 10 finishers:| Position | Player | Country | Total | To Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pádraig Harrington | Ireland | 283 | +3 |
| 2 | Ian Poulter | England | 287 | +7 |
| T3 | Greg Norman | Australia | 289 | +9 |
| T3 | Henrik Stenson | Sweden | 289 | +9 |
| T5 | Jim Furyk | USA | 290 | +10 |
| T5 | Chris Wood (a) | England | 290 | +10 |
| T7 | Paul Casey | England | 292 | +12 |
| T7 | Ernie Els | South Africa | 292 | +12 |
| T7 | David Howell | England | 292 | +12 |
| T7 | Robert Karlsson | Sweden | 292 | +12 |