The Open Championship sets a unique challenge to the world's top golfers, arguably the sternest they will meet as they take on the natural elements synonymous with links golf. There are 9 courses on The Open rota, each one a great course in its own right, each presenting its own very different challenge. But what if we were to mix them up, take individual holes and put them together into one course, creating the ultimate 18 holes of Open golf?
What test might that present?
Well that's the question we placed before two of the world's finest golfers of their eras; Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington. The former a multiple course record holder at Open Championship courses, the latter a back-to-back Open winner. We asked each golfer to create their own 18 hole Open Championship course.
But this wasn't about creating a "greatest hits" of closing holes. They had to create a genuine Championship course, balanced in terms of length and par, with the hole numbers corresponding to those actually played at the respective courses during The Open.
Good luck!.
1st St. Andrews, Burn, 376yds, Par 4
Where else could we start but on the opening tee at St. Andrews, the home of golf. Whilst there are arguably more technically challenging opening golf holes, the history weighs heavily on any player as they stand over their ball, creating an atmosphere and mental pressure like nothing else in golf.
2nd Royal Birkdale, 421yds, Par 4
This is a good "solid" hole which gets you straight into Championship golf. The tightly bunkered green provides a real challenge for the second shot, particularly when the wind is blowing. A strong par 4 and a great golf hole, the perfect 2nd to make you appreciate that this is The Open.
3rd Carnoustie, Jockies Burn, 361yds, Par 4
A short but very deceptive par 4. With the burn after which the hole is named running down the side of the fairway and protecting the green to the front, it creates immediate indecision on the tee. Driver or iron? A difficult decision early, exactly what Open Championship golf is all about. No one said this was going to be easy.
4th St Andrews, Ginger Beer, 480yds, Par 4
A tough Par 4 providing a real test early on in the round. This is a difficult driving hole, with little room for error, followed by a tough second where you can't afford to be too aggressive. A classic links hole.
5th Carnoustie, Brae, 392yds, Par 4
Championship courses are all about providing a different challenge on different days and half way through the front nine, this is the perfect option hole. The long green allows real variation in the pin position which can change the character of the hole, forcing you to take on a really tough drive between the bunkers one day, whilst potentially providing a real birdie opportunity the next.
6th Carnoustie, Hogan's Alley, 512yds, Par 5
One of the few "must have" holes in our Ultimate course. Renowned for Hogan's Alley, the tight fairway down the left that ruins so many players cards, it is one of those holes where golfers are just happy to get away with par, and move on. Enough said.
7th Royal Birkdale, 177yds, Par 3
The perfect hole to follow the rigours of Hogan's Alley as it's essentially a nice simple short Par 3. But like all great Par 3's it's one that requires real thought on the tee, especially with the variable wind.This is a hole that really punches above its weight.
8th Royal Troon, Postage Stamp, 123yds, Par 3
Unusually we go straight to another Par 3 and this one is the shortest Open hole of them all. However, it's also one of the hardest.Originally called Ailsa because of the view of the rocky islet of that name, the Postage Stamp is so named because of the size of the fiercely protected green.There is quite simply no safe way to play this hole, which can quickly destroy any player's Open dreams.
9th Turnberry, Bruce's Castle, 449yds, par 4
This is one of the most iconic holes in Open Championship golf and as such a fitting closing hole to our outward nine. With a tee that is uniquely set out into the sea and the unusual lack of bunkers, this is a hole with a drama and atmosphere all of it's own. But its also a hole to underestimate at your peril!
10th Muirfield, 475yds, Par 4
We open the back nine with a good strong par 4. Not necessarily the most challenging or imaginative of holes, but the well bunkered fairway means you really need to hit two good straight shots to reach the green. If you do, you'll receive your just reward.
11th Royal Troon, Railway, 490yds, Par 4
The railway line which runs parallel with the hole and which provides its name, allied with the thick gorse in front of the tee and along the length of the fairway, makes this a very traditional links hole as well as a real brute of a par 4. Rated the most difficult hole in the 1997 Open Championship, this is a hole which creates doubt and uncertainty. The perfect test early on in the homeward stretch.
12th Royal Birkdale, 183 yds, Par 3
Birkdale yet again provides us with the perfect foil to a tough hole, with one of the most natural and attractive holes you'll find in links golf. But that beauty belies one of the strongest and most difficult par 3's in Open Championship golf, leaving very little margin for error given its narrow green. A great reminder of what links golf is all about.
13th Royal Birkdale, 498yds, Par 4
This is a long Par 4 and a testing one. It requires a long and accurate tee shot between the bunkers to set up a long iron approach into a beautiful green which nestles into the sand hills behind. Another seemingly simple yet highly testing hole.
14th St Andrews, Long, 618yds, Par 5
Our final par 5, stroke Index 1 and 530 yards for the amateurs, but stretching to 618 yards for The Open. A series of difficult bunkers down the left hand side known as The Beardies, combined with out of bounds on the other side creates an incredibly tough tee shot, making this a very dangerous hole.
15th Royal St Georges, 496yds, Par 4
This is yet another tough challenging hole as you enter the closing stretch. With the front of the green protected by bunkers, your approach must carry to the green, which means you must hit a good drive off the tee. But with a fairway flanked by bunkers it's a tough shot. A truly testing hole.
16th Carnoustie, Barry Burn, 245yds, Par 3
Unlike the previous Par 3's, this one is very obvious in its nature.Long and a real brute of a hole, often referred to as a Par 3. This is certainly not a birdie opportunity, but one where if you come away with a par you'll be happy. Tom Watson failed in 5 attempts in the 1975 Open, which tells its own story.
17th St Andrews, Road, 495yds, Par 4
Arguably the most famous hole in golf this was one choice that was never in doubt. Two unique features make this hole stand out - the blind drive over the hotel and of course the road hole bunker. This is a hole that makes every golfer's heart beat that little bit faster and for those that make the fairway, possibly the toughest approach shot in Open golf awaits. It just had to be the penultimate hole of this Ultimate Open 18.
18th Muirfield, 473yds, Par 4
Having started at the home of golf it is fitting that we conclude our round at the club where the original 13 rules of the game were written in 1744. This is one of the great finishing holes in golf. A hole which requires you to hit it straight and will reward you if you do, a feat not quite so easy when the claret jug depends upon it! But that is exactly what Nick Faldo did to complete his extraordinary sequence of 18 pars to win his third Open Championship in 1992, by just one shot.
Challenging but fair. The perfect closing hole to the HSBC Ultimate Open 18.
