TROON, Scotland – Royal Troon’s eighth gap is a refreshing enigma on the planet of main championship golf.
At 123 yards (which is how lengthy it performed in 2016, the final time The Open was performed at Royal Troon), it needs to be a “chippy” wedge for many elite gamers and a birdie alternative. However in ’16 it performed over par (3.08) and yielded far fewer birdies (52) than bogeys (93).
From an elevated tee field the small placing floor is surrounded by deep bunkers – together with the appropriately-named Coffin Bunker simply left of the entrance fringe of the inexperienced – prompting gamers to take a conservative strategy to one of many shortest main championship holes.
“It’s refreshing. It’s actually arduous,” Xander Schauffele mentioned. “I performed it for the primary time in the present day, so fairly recent in my thoughts. A lot of the holes we play are 255 yards. It’s sort of cool to have a gap that’s tremendous scary that’s that quick, and I feel it’s going to offer a whole lot of leisure if that wind picks up off the left.”
Most gamers try and play to the entrance third of the inexperienced no matter the place the opening is situated. In truth, Billy Horschel opined Tuesday at Royal Troon, “There’s just one gap location on that gap for me.”
Whereas No. 8 is among the most unusual holes in golf, it’s additionally some of the intimidating, notably throughout a serious championship when each participant is aware of they’re only one swing away from catastrophe.
“[It’s] enjoyable when you’re simply taking part in with the boys. I don’t find out about for a event. Making an attempt to win a serious championship, and you’ve got a bit of gap like that that may mess your whole week up,” Schauffele mentioned. “It’s extra enjoyable than taking part in a 250-yard gap with no wind, but it surely’s in all probability tougher.”
