The final major of the year is almost ready to kickstart!
Due to this being of course by far our most local of the four majors, I’m sure there will be atleast a couple of people reading this that are attending…..and I’m very jealous of you
However, I’m buzzing to see how things pan out through the TV screen, and I’m here to deliver a few thoughts and insights leading up to the big four days we’re all waiting for
The last time the claret jug was up for grabs in Hoylake, golf fans the world over were gifted with witnessing two of the biggest fan favourites anywhere they go in Rory and Rickie, battle it out for the claret jug.
As the most historic trophy in golf returns to Royal Liverpool, the timing of this is impeccable as we’re just off the back of wins for both Mcilory and Fowler in the past few weeks! The plot thickens….
Last year’s Open Champion Cam Smith, who managed to fend off Rory last year in St. Andrew’s, is now also back in form coming fresh off a win at the latest LIV event in London.
Before giving my personal pick for who I reckon you need to keep an eye out for, there’s some interesting talking points from the course set up itself that players will have to contend with if they are to successfully get over the line and etch their name into the history books.
One line they certainly won’t want to be crossing over however, is this unnerving internal out of bounds which is now THIS CLOSE away from the fairway (as it’s been moved 20 yards further left for this week to make things even more challenging) and runs down all along the right side the 18th hole up to the green-side. Perhaps your immediate reaction is caddy’s might be encouraging their players to keep driver in the bag on this one, but the championship tee box has also been moved and is now a further 50 yards back and has the 18th hole playing at over 600 yards. If a player finds themselves needing to push for an eagle on this par 5 on the 72nd hole, they will need to hit the drive of a lifetime.
What you’ll also notice from the above picture of the 18th hole is how green and lush the fairways are. With all the rain in the last month, Royal Liverpool won’t be as firm and fast as per Tiger’s win in 2006 or even Rory’s in 2014 which were both around a more burnt out version of Hoylake which gave the option to the world’s best of threading plenty of irons off tees around the layout, due to the ample run on the ball. A big advantage in terms of accuracy and trying to avoid the highly penal fairway bunkers. In the practice days this week however, we’ve had plenty of players commenting iron’s simply weren’t rolling out enough to reach the corner of many of the sharp doglegs, and fairway woods/driver were being called for.
The biggest talking point from those on the ground this week so far has been the changes to the 17th hole, with many expecting the potential for pure chaos. Quite notably with caddy Billy Foster voicing his concerns regarding the danger this hole presents, commenting “they’ve created a monstrosity”.
This short little par 3 is only 136 yards in length, but the prevailing wind is straight back into you. So of course on a links, depending on the elements you could be hitting anything going into this green.
It’s designed as a horizon line green with the dee estuary in the background which is only visible for players when they make their way up to the green. It’s a short hole but the size of the green is almost half that of the average size of the rest Royal Liverpool’s greens. Combine this with the ultra severe roll offs and deep greenside bunkers like the one pictured above, players really cannot afford to miss this green. Every player in the field would bite your hand off to play this hole in level par for the week.
Has the excitement of another Major Championship sparked your eagerness to get your own game in shape?
Are you thinking seriously about improving your game? Do you wish to receive as close to instant feedback on your practice sessions as possible to accelerate your development process? Contact Seán.
In-Person coaching is provided at The SMG Studio (Kilcock), The Halpenny Golf Driving Range (beside Dublin airport) and Online Coaching via Skillest as per links below:
Seán Marks PGA Professional
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