Jordan Spieth’s Chaos Shows How Royal Birkdale Has Changed

2017’s Epic Mishap at Royal Birkdale

In the summer of 2017, Jordan Spieth turned the 13th hole at Royal Birkdale into a 29‑minute comedy of errors during the Open. A drive that missed the fairway by roughly 100 yards sent his ball into the crowd, striking a spectator before lodging at the base of the course’s tallest dune. The moment was marked by a frantic scramble for the ball, a TV announcer’s declaration of “That is catastrophic,” and Spieth eventually taking an unplayable lie from the edge of the practice range.

A New Look for Hole 13 After 2024 Renovation

The Royal Birkdale board completed a sweeping overhaul in 2024 that reshaped at least part of every hole. On the 13th, the tee box now features a new left setting that tightens the angle into the fairway, bolstered by additional bunkering and a more pronounced left‑hand ditch. The old right‑hand miss that sent Spieth’s drive into the crowd would no longer be possible.

The most visible change is the line of dunes that now separates the 13th from the practice range. Where a massive sand mound once held Spieth’s errant ball, a neat row of smaller dunes sits today, giving players a cleaner approach and eliminating the chaotic drop zone. This redesign also means the former practice area is now off‑limits to play.

Fan Village Marks the End of the Practice‑Range Drop Zone

Where equipment trucks once stood for Spieth’s unplayable drop is now a bustling fan village, complete with a giant white tent and a cart path that officially marks the new out‑of‑bounds line. The area is fenced off, and a generous sign reminds players that the former range is no longer in play.

The hospitality setup was captured by Fried Egg Golf’s Joseph LaMagna, showing tents peppered across the former practice ground. This change eliminates the odd scenario where Spieth’s sponsor’s Titleist truck became the nearest point of relief, a moment that would be impossible under today’s rules.

How the Rest of the Layout Has Been Overhauled

After the notorious bogey on 13, Spieth compiled a memorable 5‑2‑3 run: birdie on 14, eagle on 15, and another birdie on 16, capping a three‑stroke victory over Matt Kuchar. This year’s tee‑to‑green sequence is far tougher, demanding an albatross to replicate that historic stretch.

The former 14th, once a short‑game practice area, is now a 602‑yard par‑5 with a perched green set about 70 yards from the old 15th green. The new 15th is a 241‑yard par‑3—actually the longest hole on the course—featuring a large, deeply sloped green with a narrow entrance and bunkers guarding the left side. The greenside bunker that Spieth had to carry with his chip has been moved closer to the putting surface, tightening the approach.