Royal Birkdale last hosted The Open before the 2026 championship in 2017.
That 2017 Open was won by Jordan Spieth, who finished three strokes ahead of Matt Kuchar. Spieth’s victory was especially memorable because he recovered from trouble on the 13th hole and then produced a dramatic closing stretch to secure the Claret Jug.
Royal Birkdale’s previous Open editions came in 2008, 1998, 1991, 1983, 1980, 1976, 1971, 1965, 1961, 1958, 1956, 1955 and 1954, making the 2017 event the latest visit before the 2026 return. The course is one of England’s classic links venues.
A common mix-up is confusing the last Open held at Birkdale with the last major played there in another category. The question asks specifically about The Open, whose most recent earlier edition at the course was 2017.