In a League of Its Own

A Right Royal Challenge

Each of the courses on the Open rota is special in its own way and Royal Liverpool certainly presents a unique challenge. In preparation for this year’s Open, Royal Liverpool has undergone a number of changes, although organizers have, for the most part, resisted the temptation to lengthen the course, adding less than 60 yards. The par-72 layout is plenty long enough at over 7,300 yards; and with conditions unlikely to be as hot and dry as in 2006, the course may end up playing longer than the last time players teed it up.

A number of bunkers have been removed, leaving a total of 82 - not a particularly high count for an Open Championship course - for the players to try to avoid. What will arguably provide more of a challenge are the new swales around five of the greens, ready to swallow up any errant shots.

With the 2014 Open once again teeing off on the members’ 17th hole, players will face a daunting start, with R&A chief executive Peter Dawson describing it as “the hardest opening hole on the Open rota”.