The Open: What's new ahead of Royal Birkdale: Bonus events, course changes, different features and all you need to know

The world’s best players head to Royal Birkdale for The Open, with plenty of new additions – on and off the course – to look out for during one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar.

A record-breaking crowd is expected in Merseyside for the final men's major of the year, with over 300,000 fans across tournament week, as Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion after last year's win in Northern Ireland.

Scheffler could become the first back-to-back winner of The Open since Padraig Harrington, which also came at Royal Birkdale in 2008, while Rory McIlroy is among the favourites to claim a second major victory of the season.

Tommy Fleetwood will aim to end England's 34-year wait for a winner at The Open, in his hometown and at a venue hosting this historic event for an 11th time - more than any venue other than St Andrews.