Top Open champions

Birkdale is the second youngest recruit to the British Open rota, hosting its first in 1954. Victory went to 24-year-old Australian Peter Thompson, who became Champion again atthese Lancashire links in 1965.

The course has staged six Opens, but is yet to crown a British champion -although Welshman Dai Rees came close in both 1954 and 1961. At the first Birkdale Open, Rees needed a four at the final hole to force a play-off.

Unfortunately he overhit his second shot to the green and scored five. Rees again finished one stroke too many seven years later after American Arnold Palmer pulled off a series of miraculous shots. One such stroke was at the 15th hole (now the 16th), when he demolished a bush with a 6 iron. The ball landed on the green 140yd (128m) away. That stroke is commemorated by a plaque, close to the spot where he played it.

Lee Trevino won in 1971, despite taking a 7 at the 71st hole where he drove into sand dunes on the left. He beat the popular Mr Lu of Taiwan by a single stroke.

Using a 1 iron off many tees for accuracy, Johnny Miller shot a final round 66 to win by six shots in 1976. Putting well on greens, made difficult by that summer's drought.Miller was helped by chipping in at the 13th.

Tom Watson is the most recent Birkdale Open Champion, winning his fifth title in 1983.