Hole ten
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PAR 4, 387 YARDS
As golfers make what is a very literal ‘turn’ at Lytham, they are presented with another outstanding short hole back into the prevailing wind. When The Open was last played here 11 years ago, this was the shortest par 4 on the course, at 335 yards, but a new back tee, set right back in the corner of the property, has added 52 yards, making it the thirdshortest par 4. But it’s no pushover. With dunes on both sides acting as a high gateway to the fairway, and leaving the tee shot blind, golfers will need to summon bravery o the tee, with rough left and trees right. New fairway bunkers on both sides await long, wayward drives, but a good tee shot opens a clear birdie opportunity with a short iron in your hands, even though it’s a severely sloping green from back to front. Four deep traps await anything short.
LAWRIE: The back nine starts with the first of only two really blind tee shots on the course. If the wind is helping, some of the bigger hitters will try and take it over the right-hand bunkers and get it very close or even bounce it onto the green. It’s out of range for me, even downwind, so I will knock it into the fat part of the fairway, which still leaves only a wedge in. It’s another very good birdie chance.
WATSON: With a favourable wind, the 10th is an example of how you don’t have to hit the ball very far at Lytham to compete. Bearing in mind I hit the ball shorter than the kids do today, there are still certain golf courses on which I can compete; Royal Lytham & St Annes is one, and Turnberry is another.
