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Amidst the intense competition, renowned golfers like Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, and Thomas Detry have weighed in on how an 18-handicap golfer would fare at Oak Hill. Their perspectives shed light on the immense difficulty faced by amateurs in this major championship venue.
Oak Hill Country Club's challenging setup during the PGA Championship has drawn the attention of golfers worldwide. Professionals are employing every trick in their arsenal to navigate the demanding course.
The pro golfers' insights on handicap
In a video shared by the DP World Tour on social media, Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, and Thomas Detry were asked about their thoughts on what an 18 handicap would shoot at Oak Hill.
Their responses underscored the formidable challenge awaiting amateur golfers on this renowned course.
“An 18 handicap wouldn’t even break 120, I think,” Detry said. “I mean, I don’t think an 18 handicap would finish holes, to be honest … Not even close to breaking 120.”
Jordan Spieth supported Detry's perspective, explaining that even for golfers with single-digit handicaps, breaking 100 would be an impressive feat. He highlighted the difficulty of hitting fairways and the subsequent challenges of recovery shots.
"Breaking 100 would be really impressive for anyone that’s even single digits,” Spieth said. “It’s very hard to hit the fairways and if you miss them, you just have to kind of gouge it out and lay up. And then your work’s not done there.”
Billy Horschel took it further, suggesting that an 18-handicap golfer might score around 125, or even as high as 150. He pointed out the multitude of obstacles and potential pitfalls that would make scoring well on Oak Hill exceptionally challenging for players of that skill level.
“At least 125,” Horschel proclaimed. “Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe ... an 18 handicap could score 150 or higher. Between 130 and 150.”
Understanding the challenge
The collective opinion of these professional golfers affirms the immense difficulty faced by 18-handicap players at Oak Hill. The narrow fairways, demanding approaches, and treacherous hazards combine to create a formidable test of skill and strategy.
The reality for amateurs
While the assessments from Spieth, Horschel, and Detry may appear discouraging, it is crucial to remember that professional golfers possess a level of skill and experience far beyond that of amateur players. Their perspectives offer valuable insights into the challenges faced by top golfers attempting to conquer such a demanding course.
The insights shared by Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, and Thomas Detry paint a clear picture of the significant difficulties an 18-handicap golfer would face at Oak Hill. Breaking 120, let alone achieving a respectable score, would be a significant challenge for players at that skill level. However, these perspectives should not discourage golf enthusiasts from appreciating the opportunity to witness the world's best players tackle the demanding layout.
Oak Hill stands as a testament to the skill and strategy required in professional golf, reminding us of the immense challenges overcome by professionals on their path to success.
