Many captivating storylines have emerged from Day One of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. One notable highlight is the amateur player Christo Lamprecht tying for the lead. However, amidst the excitement, there is consensus among the players and caddies that Holes 17 and 18 at Royal Liverpool are challenging and demanding.
From the start of the tournament on Thursday, these final two holes proved to be a nightmare for many golfers. The treacherous bunkers surrounding the greens claimed victims left and right. The first of the two holes, Hole 17, is a new par-3 measuring 138 yards. A precise tee shot is necessary to have a clear shot at the pin. Otherwise, golfers find themselves struggling in the strategically placed bunkers. Unfortunately, the swirling winds of Hoylake make it difficult to achieve the desired precision.
The final hole, Hole 18, presents an even greater challenge. It is a lengthy 599-yard hole that demands accuracy off the tee as there are multiple out-of-bounds areas to contend with. Additionally, more bunkers await the golfers on their approaches to the green. These two holes have proven to be crucial in determining the outcome of the tournament, particularly for those holding a one-shot lead on a championship Sunday.
Various golfers experienced the difficulty of these holes firsthand. Lucas Herbert learned the hard way at Hole 17 after his tee shot landed in the bunker, resulting in a triple bogey. Phil Mickelson also struggled at this hole, finding it challenging to escape the bunker on his first attempt. On the other hand, Brooks Koepka sees the challenge as enjoyable and embraces the difficulty of Hole 17.
Hole 18 saw its fair share of struggles as well. Rickie Fowler, for instance, encountered issues with tee shots and lies in greenside bunkers, leading to a triple bogey. Justin Thomas had a particularly disastrous round, battling with bunkers and eventually posting an 82, putting him at risk of missing the major cut.
Rory McIlroy narrowly avoided a similar fate at Hole 18, maneuvering skillfully to save par after getting trapped in a bunker. His fist pump expressed the relief and satisfaction of overcoming a difficult challenge. Such reactions demonstrate the arduous nature of these holes for the golfers.
The test posed by Holes 17 and 18 will continue throughout the tournament, constantly challenging the professionals and amateurs alike. However, as Jon Rahm wisely points out, it is a fair challenge as every golfer must navigate these holes. The next three days promise to be filled with excitement and potential triumphs, as players endure and strive to conquer the demanding nature of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Note: The writer of this content is Scott Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
