Stewart Cink highlights unique conditions at Royal Birkdale during The Open

Stewart Cink faced unexpected challenges on day one of The Open at Royal Birkdale, shooting an opening round of 74. The course conditions, marked by dry terrain due to the summer heat and minimal wind, significantly differed from his previous experiences at the venue. Cink expressed that this year’s Birkdale is dry and firm, demanding a conservative play strategy to navigate successfully. He emphasized the importance of understanding the ball's roll after landing on fairways. Cink aims to leverage his nearly 30 years at The Open to improve his standing in the following rounds.

• 2:30 PMYahoo Sports — Stewart Cink shocked by conditions at Royal Birkdale on day one of The Open