18 of the club's greens being completely rebuilt, to improve turf and drainage following the 1991 Open Championship. Only relatively minor tweaking, such as the addition of a few new bunkers and back tees, has been deemed necessary in advance of the last two Open Championships. The course was ranked as the 18th best in the world outside the United States, in the 2007 rankings by Golf Digest magazine. During the 1960s, the club hosted the Ryder Cup twice, in 1965 and in 1969. The United States won in 1965 by the score of 19½–12½, but in 1969 the competition ended in a 16–16 tie when Jack Nicklaus generously conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin to halve their match, which later became known as "The Concession." As defending champions in a tie, the U.S. retained the trophy; they kept it for another sixteen years, until 1985. In 2013, the club hosted the Senior Open Championship. Open Championship The Open Championship was first held at Royal Birkdale in 1954 and has hosted ten times. Note: For multiple winners of The Open Championship, superscript ordinal identifies which in their respective careers. The Open began paying in U.S. dollars in 2017, subsequent figures in pounds are rounded estimates. Women’s British Open Winners of the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale. The course was the first on the men's rota to be placed into the women's rota. Notes For multiple winners of the Women's British Open, superscript ordinal identifies which in their respective careers. Years in bold signify editions that were recognised as majors by the LPGA Tour (2001–present).Since its inception in 1979, the Ladies European Tour (LET) has recognised the Women's British Open as a major. Scorecard Lengths of the course for previous Opens: 2017: , par 70 2008: , par 70 1998: , par 70 1991: , par 70 1983: , par 71 1976: , par 72 1971: , par 73 1965: , par 73 1961: , par 72 1954: , par 73 See also List of golf clubs granted Royal status References External links 360degree interactive course viewer 1889 establishments in England Curtis Cup venues Golf clubs and courses in Merseyside Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage Ryder Cup venues Sport in Southport Sports venues completed in 1889 The Open Championship venues Walker Cup venues Royal golf clubs