Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, has appointed Mackenzie & Ebert as course advisors.

Tom Mackenzie will be the lead architect on a new project to develop a master plan for the course, which has hosted the Open Championship 10 times, the most recent being the 2017 tournament that was won by Jordan Spieth. Mackenzie also plans to develop a shorter layout and to renovate the practice facilities.

“Royal Birkdale is quite rightly renowned the world over, so we are obviously delighted and feel honoured to be selected to advise the club,” said Mackenzie. “We look forward to making its wonderful links even more enjoyable for members and visitors alike, enhancing its reputation as one of the great Open venues.”

David Richards, captain of Royal Birkdale, said: “We are delighted to have Mackenzie & Ebert appointed to undertake such important work on behalf of Royal Birkdale. We are forever grateful and proud of our association with Martin Hawtree, and we look forward to a new chapter in the development of the course with Tom as the lead architect.”