With The Open returning to Royal Birkdale, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy take an in-depth look at one of golf's most iconic championship venues ahead of the year's final men's major.

The pair break down the dramatic changes made to the course since Jordan Spieth's memorable victory in 2017, discussing the brand-new holes, redesigned layouts, and whether the updates will make Birkdale a better test for today's longest hitters. They also explore how The Open is evolving, why The R&A is asking more from its venues than ever before, and what fans can expect from a record-breaking championship on England's Golf Coast.

Plus, plenty of chat about links golf, favourite Open memories, and why Royal Birkdale remains one of the game's greatest stages.

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Why are so many golf clubs cutting down trees? Are trees essential to the beauty and character of a course, or have they become obstacles to great golf course design?

In this episode of the Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy tackle one of the most debated topics in modern golf architecture: trees. Inspired by a famous quote from legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, they explore the role trees play in shaping strategy, aesthetics, sustainability, and the long-term health of golf courses.

Drawing on their experiences as golfers, course observers, and editors covering golf course management, Tom and Dan discuss the rise of restoration projects, the growing trend of tree removal at leading clubs, and why opinions on the subject are often deeply divided. From heathland restoration and agronomy to championship golf and environmental concerns, they examine how trees can both enhance and hinder the game and why the debate is more relevant than ever.

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In this episode, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy kick things off by reflecting on the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, discussing Wyndham Clark’s victory, the course setup, and what made the championship such a compelling watch.

The main focus, however, is a fascinating look back at a Golf World Top 100 ranking from 2002. Using the historic list as a reference point, Tom and Dan explore how golf course rankings have evolved over the last two decades, asking whether modern rankings are driven by genuine improvements, changing tastes, or simply the latest trends.

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