Secrets Of The Ailsa

 There are some stunning holes on the Ailsa course this year that are bound to make Open news. See which could provide some spills, and which could serve up some thrills!

The Thrillers

Turnberry head pro Ricky Hall describes three holes where we can expect birdies…

7th Hole: Roon the Ben
Par 5, 538 Yards

Rickys Verdict: Although it has been extended by 10 yeards, this is the only reachable par 5 on the front nine so will yield birdies and eagles. Tom Watson fired over the dog-leg to him an 8-iron approach in ’77!

13th Hole: Tickly Tap
Par 4, 410 yards

Rickys verdict: Whatever club you hit in needs to be accurate as its a tricky green. Watson managed a Sunday birdie here in ’77 but Norman and Price could only manage final-round pars when they won.

18th Hole: Duel in the Sun
Par 4, 461 yards

Rickys verdict: A classic risk-reward to finish off. The last tee has been pushed back 29 yards to make the it a long closing hole. Norman three-putted the 18th to miss out on becoming the first to shoot an Open 62.

The Killers

…and predicts a trio where Open Championship heartbreak might unfold

6th hole: Tappie Toorie
Par 3, 231 yards

Rickys verdict: A long par 3 where four is not a bad score! Anything short right and you’re in a deep bunker, probably Alisla’s most fearsome trap. If you avoid that you face an exacting chip.

14th hole: Risk an Hope
Par 4, 448 yards

Rickys verdict: This was the hardest hole in 1994 and the wind is usually hurting. The green has a lot of subtle burrows. In the 1996 Open only one player foudn the gren in two shots: Ian Woosnam.

15th Hole: Ca’ Canny
Par 3, 206 yards

Rickys verdict: A strong par 3. On a windy day its usually a right to left wind, this is a really tough hole. In 1977 Watson brilliantly putted from 60ft from well of the left side of the green for a crucial birdie.

The Changes

Three tweaks to the Ailsa will ensure it tests the worlds best.

10th Hole: Dinna Fouter
Par 4, 456 yards

Rickys verdict: Course architect Martin Ebert says: “We’ve made a sensational new tee on a rocky outcrop near the lighthouse, resulting in a significant change to the driving line. The fairway has been mown closer to the beach and there are three new fairway bunkers.” Head Pro Ricky Hall says: “You don’t want to be hitting 190 yards into that green in hard, fast running conditions.”

16th Hole: Wee Burn
Par 4, 455 yards

Rickys verdict: Ebert says: “We’ve added a new tee while the fairway has been re-routed, turning this once straight hole in a left to right dogleg. We’ve added a new trap on the left. The burn should privide a greater lateral hazard with the approach shot.” Hall says: “The hole has been lengthened by 45 yards and is played into the prevailing wind and with the changes should provide plenty of thrills. Players will still be hitting a mid short-ish iron into the green and to be honest something spinning on this green is likely to find the burn. They’ll be happy to make a four here.”

17th Hole: Lang Whang
Par 5, 559 yards

Rickys verdict: Ebert says: “The realignment of the 16th fairway allowed a new back tee to be added, increasing its length by 61 yards. New approach bunkers and a new greenside bunker demand precise second shots. Hall says: “This is a proper par 5 now! It was a bit short before. The introduction of new bunkering to threaten the “lay up, have made this hole much more difficult. Chances are, players looking to lay up will leave themselves 140 yards for their third shot – before, all they had to do was miss the bunker 90 yards short of the green and they’d be there or thereabouts.