Rory McIlroy gives Royal Birkdale verdict after preparing at venue for this year's Open Championship, live on Sky Sports

Rory McIlroy gave a positive verdict of Royal Birkdale as the course prepares to host the Open Championship for the first time in nine years and the six-time major champion targets a second Claret Jug.

McIlroy finished tied-fourth at the Southport venue in 2017, seven shots behind champion Jordan Spieth.

The Northern Irishman - who won his sole Open title to date at another Merseyside venue, Royal Liverpool in 2014 - prepared at Birkdale this week ahead of the major from July 16-19.

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Sir Nick Faldo was also in attendance doing some research for Sky Sports and quizzed McIlroy on what he made of the course.

The 37-year-old said in a video posted to Faldo's X account: "I've always thought Birkdale is one of the best on the Open rota, so excited to be back.

"It's good. A little bit different from 2017, the last time we played an Open here. Some different green complexes, different holes.

"The fifth hole I just played is completely different. I like it. A good driveable par four. A bit of a penalty if you got for it and miss.

"I don't know if the water is quite in play on the right but a lot of big deep bunkers guarding the green."

'McIlroy getting used to links golf again'

McIlroy secured back-to-back Masters triumphs at Augusta National in April, while he then finished in a share of seventh place at the second major of the year, the PGA Championship at Aronimink, before coming tied-32nd in last week's US Open at Shinnecock.

McIlroy will play in the Genesis Scottish Open - an event he won in 2023 and finished runner-up in a year ago - a week before the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

He added to Faldo: "I am going to play the Scottish Open so it will be nice to get a few reps in, get a card in my hand, do all that.

"It's good to get up here and play early. I've been trying to do that at every major championship, which is working out for me.

"Try to play a bit of links golf, get used to these conditions again."

Watch The 154th Open Championship, from Royal Birkdale, live on Sky Sports from July 16-19. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream golf without a contract through NOW.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Rory McIlroy gives Royal Birkdale verdict after preparing at venue for this year's Open Championship, live on Sky Sports