The Open: Rory McIlroy and Scotty Scheffler battle at sun-baked Royal Birkdale

The Open Championship, often under years, has been as much a battle against the elements as the swing of the world’s top golfers.

The recent Royal Birkdale Open was no different. When the Southport venue hosted the game’s oldest championship in 2017, play was briefly halted in the second round due to high winds and rain.

In the year In 2008, in a weekend largely dominated by terrible weather, Padraig Harrington won by four shots from Ian Poulter by 3 points.

But this week is shaping up to be a very different challenge as strong and fiery conditions are expected in sun-baked Brickdale.

“The course set up for a fantastic week,” 2014 champion Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport’s Iain Carter.

“It’s a lot different than when I was here (for a practice round) a few weeks ago. It’s not as green, the rough is not as juicy — it’s still tall, fescue, but a little thinner because of the weather we’ve had.”

With the rough “burnt” by the sun, McIlroy, who shot 73-64 at the weekend – who finished seventh at the Scottish Open last week – is approaching the week with an attacking mindset.

The six-time major winner, who finished joint fourth at Birkdale in 2017, added: “I think I can play the course a little bit harder than I can, so I’m really excited about this opportunity, but it’s a great test.”

“The changes they’ve made to the golf course over the last few years, I think it’s going to be a great golf tournament that will test all aspects of the game.”