SOUTHPORT, England — Jordan Spieth completed practice rounds at Royal Birkdale on Wednesday as the world's leading golfers prepared for the 154th Open Championship, which begins Thursday. The American won the tournament at the same venue in 2017.

Royal Birkdale hosts the Open for the 11th time, returning to the rota for the first time since Spieth's dramatic victory nine years ago. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club confirmed the full field of 156 players, with defending champion and world number one contenders among those completing final preparations.

Spieth told reporters he was seeking to rediscover the form that carried him to the 2017 title, when he recovered from a wayward tee shot on the 13th hole to win by three strokes. The Texan has not won a major championship since that week on the Lancashire coast.

Organisers said conditions on the links would test the field, with the exposed coastal layout vulnerable to swirling winds off the Irish Sea. The R&A anticipated large galleries across the four days, with tickets for the opening rounds sold out.

The championship offers a total purse among the largest in golf, with the winner receiving the Claret Jug and a place in the following year's major fields.