Eye on Southport
Southport prepares for The Open as transport plans advance
Here’s your warm local briefing from Southport, with transport plans and the latest preparations for The Open at Royal Birkdale.
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The Liverpool City Region is set to take back control of its trains under plans unveiled by Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Plans going before the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority recommend bringing Merseyrail services into public control when the current concession ends in 2028. The proposal aims to integrate trains with buses, ferries, active travel and future rapid transit, while giving the region greater freedom to improve connections and reinvest in services.
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Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin will get The 154th Open under way on home soil after being given the honour of the historic opening tee shot.
Royal Birkdale member Matthew Baldwin will hit the opening tee shot at The 154th Open after qualifying at Dundonald Links. The 40-year-old will play alongside Thomas Detry and James Nicholas at 6.35am, making his fourth Championship appearance and beginning the event at his home club.
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Joe Dean from England won the Last-Chance Qualifier to secure the final place in the field at The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
England’s Joe Dean secured the final place in The Open field by winning the inaugural Last-Chance Qualifier at Royal Birkdale. He carded a two-under-par 68 for a one-shot victory over Andrew Wilson, earning his third Championship appearance after previously playing at Royal Birkdale and Royal Troon.
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The R&A is celebrating ten years of Greenlinks at The 154th Open at Birkdale
The R&A is marking a decade of its Greenlinks sustainability programme at Royal Birkdale. The initiative has helped reduce on-site emissions by more than 93%, achieve five consecutive years of zero waste to landfill and support environmental and community projects, including nature surveys and investment through The Open Legacy Fund.
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World No 1 Scottie Scheffler practises at Royal Birkdale ahead of The Open
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler has been practising at Royal Birkdale before The Open begins on Thursday 16 July. The defending champion is seeking consecutive victories after winning at Royal Portrush in 2025, while the Championship returns to Southport for its 11th staging at the links.
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