ROYAL Portrush is hosting the world’s best golfers at the 153rd Open Championship.
Six years after Irishman ‘s famous victory, golf’s oldest major returns to the County Antrim coast.
The course, which has been lengthened by 37 yards since is sure to be the star of the show whoever wins.
is the favourite to win, with second favourite followed by .
Other fancied golfers include , and defending champion
Here’s how the venue looks
1st – Hughie’s – 420 yards, par 4:
Most players will take a three wood or long iron as the key is avoiding the fairway bunker on the left to set up an approach to an elevated green.
2nd – Giant’s Grave – 575 yards, par 5
The hole is almost 50 yards longer than it was in 2012 and a good drive will need to hug the left to have a chance of reaching in two.
3rd – Islay – 176 yards, par 3
A relatively-straightforward hole with just one bunker but the green slopes from right to left.
4th – Fred Daly’s – 502 yards, par 4
Now 20 yards longer than 2019. Quite a narrow tee shot with the wall on the right and a bunker on the left which must be avoided.
5th – White Rocks – 372 yards, par 4
If it plays downwind, you can be aggressive and cut the corner of the dog leg and get close to the green, but it is tough to pick the right line.
6th – Harry Colt’s – 193 yards, par 3
A classic links par three away from the water so club selection is key.
7th – Curran Point – 607 yards, par 5
This has extended by 15 yards, but will be a birdie chance downwind if players avoid the massive bunker on the right.
8th – Dunluce – 434 yards, par 4
The hole gives players the option to lay up short of the fairway bunkers or take them on to get closer to a large, undulating green.
9th – Darren Clarke’s – 432 yards, par 4
The prevailing wind is off the left. A radio mast in the distance is the target off the tee and it is a must to find the narrow fairway.
10th – Himalayas – 450 yards, par 4
The hole doglegs from left to right and it is important to hit the undulating fairway otherwise you will be hitting across the long, narrow green.
11th – Tavern – 475 yards, par 4
Was a par five and it was the joint-hardest hole when Lowry won the Claret Jug in 2019. There is a big dip in front of a very narrow green with a lot of trouble around it.
12th – Dhu Varren – 532 yards, par 5
The easiest hole of the 2019 championship. A good chance for a birdie if they can stay out of the bunkers on the right.
13th – Feather Bed – 199 yards, par 3
Five yards have been added but a downhill tee shot means it plays shorter than the yardage suggests.
14th – Causeway – 466 yards, par 4
Seven yards shorter than in 2019 when it was the joint-hardest of the tournament, and one of the widest tee shots on the course.
15th – Skerries – 429 yards, par 4
Probably an iron down the right as long as you can carry the bunkers on the right and run it down the hill.
16th – Calamity – 236 yards, par 3
A brutal par three with a long carry to quite a big green. A lot of second shots will be played from left of the green.
17th – Purgatory – 409 yards, par 4
Tee shots will land on a downslope and if the wind is in the right direction, the bigger hitters will have the chance to drive a green.
18th – Babington’s – 474 yards, par 4
A left-to-right dogleg with quite a generous fairway and the biggest danger is the two bunkers to the right.
