The Open Championship 2024 is set to take place at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland from July 18 to July 21. The tournament will return to Royal Troon for the first time since 2016 and the tenth time overall.
The Royal Troon is a par 71, 7385 yards golf course this time, which is 195 yards more than in 2016, the last time it hosted the Open Championship. It has the shortest and longest hole on the Open rotation.
In this article, we will look at the five important holes at Royal Troon.
Five important holes of the Royal Troon
1) Hole 5 (Greenan): Par 3, 220 Yards
One of the tougher holes on the course, which has several pot bunkers, makes it difficult for the players. There is a bunker on the front right of the green, and it will not be easy for players to reach the pin comfortably amid the wind.
2) Hole 6 (Turnberry): Par 5, 623 Yards
This is the longest hole on the course, and its name comes from another Open venue which is visible from Troon. It has been increased by 22 yards this time and will be the longest hole ever in the Championship's history.
It can be tricky in windy conditions but it also can be an opportunity for a birdie if there's a downwind. The approach shot needs to be accurate as there is a narrow green with bunkers on both sides of it.
3) Hole 8 (Postage Stamp): Par 3, 123 Yards
This is the smallest hole at the venue, with a distance of just 123 yards. However, short distances can be tricky, and so is the Postage Stamp. There is a large dune near the green, and five bunkers surround it.
German amateur Herman Tissies needed 15 shots to get past it in 1950. However, it also witnessed an ace by 71-year-old Gene Sarazen in 1973.
4) Hole 13 (Burmah): Par 4, 473 Yards
Burmah is another challenging hole with a closed fairway off the tee. Since there is no bunker, one might say it's a relief. However, the wind plays a tricky part, and one will require a couple of accurate shots to reach the elevated green.
5) Hole 18 (Craigend): Par 4, 458 Yards
The last hole of the Royal Troon has three bunkers one after another, which leaves few options to make a mistake. There's one bunker on the right as well, which makes the fairway a bit challenging.
Then there are five more bunkers before one reaches the green, and the out-of-bounds zone is also not very far from the green.