Royal St George’s Hole Seven
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The Open Championship returns to Royal St George’s in Kent this year for the first time since 2003.
This will be the 14th time the venue has hosted this great event, yet after an eight-year absence, the layout will be new to many of today’s young guns. Even those with previous experience will be taking on a slightly different course to the one Ben Curtis successfully negotiated to win the Claret Jug in 2003. The 124-year-old Links has been lengthened by more than 100 yards and reduced from par 71 to 70.
PAR 5, 564 YARDS
ROSE: It generally plays downwind and is a hole I’ll be looking to take advantage of. That starts with finding the fairway – the most awkward part of the hole as it bends left at driving distance, while kicking your ball away. Two traps guard the right front of the green, but they aren’t the toughest up-and-down. It’s a pretty flat approach into the green so as long as you get something on line it should run up to the dancefloor. This hole kicks off the second third of the round, and offers an important opportunity to get some momentum into your score.
WILD RUN
The slope in the fairway makes it tough to stay on the short grass.
GO FOR IT
The vast majority of players will have a go at the green in two.
SAND SAVE
It’s still a real birdie chance if you find the bunkers in two.
