Major Setting
Built by as group of Shriners in the early 1920s, Medinah, whose Byzantine-style clubhouse is one of the most distinctive in the game, has been a fairly regular feature on the major championship schedule. The course, which was designed by Scotsman Tom Bendelow, has hosted three US Opens (1949, 1975 and 1990), two PGA Championships (1999 and 2006) and a US Senior Open (1988).
At that 1999 PGA, it was the scene of one of golf’s most unforgettable moments when Sergio Garcia, then a fresh-faced 19-year-old, gouged a 6-iron from behind a tree during the final round. The excitable Spaniard sprinted down the 16th fairway to follow the flight of the ball as he pushed Tiger Woods all the way. The American ended up winning by one stroke to claim his first PGA title and his second major, leaving Garcia without a play-off but with lots of new friends who admired his raw enthusiasm.
“It was my second major as a professional, and to be able to play the way I did at 19 against a guy like Tiger was a great experience,” says Garcia.
In preparation for the Ryder Cup extensive work has been carried out on the greens, 11 of which were completely renovated. Six other greens were re-grassed and the 15th hole was dramatically changed under the supervision of Rees Jones who has overseen all architectural design aspects of Medinah’s three courses since 2000.
The 15th has been reduced in length by 100 yards and now offers players a great risk-reward opportunity with a driveable par 4. A two-acre lake borders the right side of the fairway and green. The new forward tee means the hole can be set up as short as 280 yards, so expect this to be the sight of much drama over the three days of competition. The green was moved to the left making way for the creation of a new back tee for Medinah’s famed tree-lined 16th hole which plays around 480 yards.
Perhaps the best known hole is the 17th which has played a big role in deciding some of the major events held on the course. This treacherous par-three is all over water with the front of the green sitting hard against Lake Kadijah.
