Merseyside 'in a lovely light' as people 'want to come back every year'

The 154th Open has arrived at Royal Birkdale17:18, 16 Jul 2026People from across the world have made their way to Royal Birkdale as The 154th Open gets underway. Southport's Tommy Fleetwood, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Open champion, and Northern Irish great Rory McIlroy are favourites to take home the prestigious Claret Jug on Sunday, July 19.‌More than 300,000 spectators are expected to visit Royal Birkdale for the highly anticipated event. The ECHO attended the first day of the championship today (July 16) as thousands of fans headed to the golf course.‌Tommy Fleetwood was relieved after finishing one-under following what he described as an 'awful round'. Southport-born Fleetwood is chasing a maiden major title and he received a rapturous welcome as he teed off shortly af