354: Open Championship Day 1: Leaderboard, Conditions & Cut Line Predictions On-Site at Royal Birkdale
Podcast: The Smylie ShowPublished On: Thu Jul 16 2026
Description: Charlie Hulme and Smylie Kaufman break down Round 1 of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where Jackson Suber leads at 5-under and Englishman Daniel Brown sits T2 at 4-under. Smylie, who walked all day with the Cam Young–Ludvig Åberg–Wyndham Clark group, dives into how the course shifted from a calm, receptive morning to tough northwest crosswinds in the afternoon, and compares the end-of-day green conditions to Poa annua.Plus: the variety and firmness of Birkdale's turf on display through Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy's approach shots, a parallel between Rory and Bryson DeChambeau's rough putting days, Cam Young's near-63 that got away, why the course rewards precision but still leaves room for aggressive drivers, Scottie Scheffler's 93%-fairways 2-under start, Bryson's driver edge in the firm conditions, and the guys' cut line and 36-hole leader predictions.Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and follow us on socials @thesmylieshow!Chapters0:00 Round 1 wrap: Jackson Suber leads, Daniel Brown T21:21 Smylie's flushed wedge on No. 72:52 Morning calm to afternoon crosswinds: how Birkdale played5:34 Course variety and firm turf 7:51 Morning vs. afternoon scoring — Cam Young9:24 Who the course favors: precision, aggression, and spinny fescue11:47 Scottie Scheffler's 93% fairways and 2-under start13:26 Bryson's driver advantage and conditions in his favor14:31 Bryson's approach game: the real test comes Friday afternoon15:21 Preview picks recap, cut line and leader predictions#theopen #golf #smylieshow #royalbirkdale
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