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    22 July 2023

    Opinions Divided on Controversial 17th Hole at Open Championship: Monstrosity or Masterpiece?

    Unprecedented Drama Unleashed at The Open Championship’s Newest Hole

    The organizers of the Open Championship were fervently hoping for an infusion of excitement with their new addition to the course. Little did they know that within a mere 24 hours, their wish would not only be granted but surpassed.

    Royal Liverpool’s par-three 17th hole may be diminutive in length, but it has already proven to be a formidable challenge for players at the prestigious tournament’s 151st edition.

    Lucas Herbert, after an impressive start to his first round on Thursday, found himself sharing the lead as he approached the penultimate tee. However, his dreams quickly unraveled with six agonizing swings, causing him to plummet down the leaderboard.

    “Well, I could have predicted chaos,” lamented Herbert.

    ‘Little Eye,’ designed by renowned architect Martin Ebert, did not exist during Royal Liverpool’s previous hosting of The Open. Back when Rory McIlroy claimed victory and lifted the Claret Jug in 2014, this particular hole was a challenging par four spanning 458 yards.

    Nowadays though, it is merely a hop from tee to flag—a modest 136-yard journey—making it one of the shortest holes on the course.

    Aesthetically pleasing as it plays out towards the oceanic expanse and offers splendid views; however, don’t let its charm deceive you—it is also treacherous. Players must skillfully navigate past an array of bunkers before even attempting to land their ball onto an infinity green perched high above eye level.

    The margin for error is razor-thin: steep slopes bordering deep bunkers flank both sides while another sprawling sand trap lurks behind. Add unpredictable winds—commonplace on coastal courses—and the challenge becomes even more demanding.

    Adding to the pressure and drama are large grandstands positioned at both the tee and green, perfectly fulfilling their intended purpose.

    “After 2014, there was a consensus that the course needed more thrill,” revealed Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A. “I firmly believe that some of the best par-three holes in the world are short ones. Take Augusta’s 12th, TPC’s 17th, or Royal Troon’s 8th as examples. This allowed us an opportunity to create similar drama with our hole.”

    “It is undeniably challenging; however, I will reserve judgment until Monday morning whether it qualifies as merely great or truly exceptional,” he added cautiously.

    Cameron Smith, last year’s triumphant winner at St. Andrews during the momentous 150th edition of The Open Championship, had his first encounter with this new hole during Sunday’s practice round. According to him, Slumbers’ aim for dramatic flair has been fully realized.

    “Drama is definitely an apt description,” Smith shared enthusiastically with reporters on Monday.
    “Facing strong headwinds yesterday made it quite harrowing—the kind of tee shot you dread having.
    There isn’t much room for error up there; it promises an exhilarating climax to The Open Championship without a doubt.
    In my opinion, it is indeed a fantastic hole!”

    However—despite these positive reviews—not everyone shares such glowing sentiments about this addition. Billy Foster—a caddie who guided Matt Fitzpatrick to victory at the 2022 US Open—dismissed organizers’ efforts as nothing short of creating a “monstrosity.”

    “Regrettably, I fear that this particular iteration of The Open Championship may be remembered for the calamity that awaits,” Foster candidly expressed to Golf Monthly on Monday.
    “The green itself is remarkably diminutive. Should your ball fall short by a mere foot, you can expect it to roll back into…”

    The new par-three 17th hole at Royal Liverpool has undeniably injected an unprecedented level of drama and suspense into this year’s Open Championship. Whether players view it as a thrilling challenge or a daunting obstacle remains subjective, but one thing is certain—it will unquestionably leave a lasting impression in the annals of golfing history.

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