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Irish Open: your hole-by-hole guide to Royal Portrush

The stunning Dunluce Links course will host some of the world’s top players this weekend. Here’s what they can expect.

27/06/12 2,965 Views 6 Comments

Irish Open: your hole-by-hole guide to Royal Portrush
1 / 18

  • Hole 1 -- Hughie's -- Par 4, 416 yards

    A deceptively short par four. With out of bounds on both sides of the first fairway, that opening drive needs to be on the money.

  • Hole 2 -- Giant's Grave -- Par 5, 528 yards

    Big hitters will find that the green is reachable in two, but with bunkers dotted just short, the approach can't really afford to be short.

  • Hole 3 -- Islay -- Par 3, 174 yards

    The easiest of the opening holes on paper, but pin placement on a sloping green will be crucial.

  • Hole 4 -- Fred Daly's -- Par 4, 479 yards

    Named after Portrush's first major champion, there isn't a huge amount to work with off the tee. Staying out of the fairway bunker is a must.

  • Hole 5 -- White Rocks -- Par 4, 411 yards

    A picturesque hole with a dogleg right. If the pin is stuck right up the back of the green, expect to see a few of the more ambitious shots head down over the cliff face.

  • Hole 6 -- Harry Colt's -- Par 3, 189 yards

    Another short par three, but the two-tiered green is a true putting test.

  • Hole 7 -- PG Stevenson's -- Par 4, 431 yards

    Locals aim for the tall radio mast in the distance from the tee box. The hardest hole on the course with some nasty greenside bunkers for those who come up short.

  • Hole 8 -- Himalayas -- Par 4, 431 yards

    Not the longest par four, but narrowing fairways and a hidden green make for a real test of accuracy.

  • Hole 9 -- Tavern -- Par 5, 475 yards

    The first of back-to-back par fives around the turn. A well-struck drive will bring the green into play but miss by a few yards and the fairway rough is as unforgiving as they come.

  • Hole 10 -- Dhu Varren -- Par 5, 478 yards

    Eagle opportunities abound to begin the back nine, although the North Coast wind may well have something to say about that.

  • Hole 11 -- Feather Bed -- Par 3, 191 yards

    A downhill tee shot and a green with plenty of room. Miss it though and you'll find trouble in one of the five greenside bunkers.

  • Hole 12 -- Causeway -- Par 4, 412 yards

    Rated the hardest hole on the back nine but top pros will fancy their birdie chances. Three wood or long iron off the tee should leave an ideal, straight approach.

  • Hole 13 -- Skerries -- Par 4, 418 yards

    A lucky bounce or two could leave a very short approach, which is just as well as there's danger on all sides of the green.

  • Hole 14 -- Calamity -- Par 3, 210 yards

    The most famous hole on the course, tempting players to attack up the hill to a perched green. Miss and you'll end up chasing your ball down the valley.

  • Hole 15 -- Purgatory -- Par 4, 391 yards

    Maybe the last genuine chance for a birdie. A downward sloping fairway to reward the big hitters.

  • Hole 16 -- Babbington -- Par 4, 442 yards

    A long dogleg right with fairway bunkers to give players plenty to think about off the tee.

  • Hole 17 -- Glenarm -- Par 5, 581 yards

    "Big Nellie", the deep fairway bunker, will account for any wayward drives. Another test of length, not too many will be able to reach this in two.

  • Hole 18 -- Greenaway -- Par 4, 484 yards

    If you can steer clear of the eleven bunkers and hold your nerve hitting into a long, narrow green, a finishing birdie may be on the cards.
  • A deceptively short par four. With out of bounds on both sides of the first fairway, that opening drive needs to be on the money.
  • Big hitters will find that the green is reachable in two, but with bunkers dotted just short, the approach can't really afford to be short.
  • The easiest of the opening holes on paper, but pin placement on a sloping green will be crucial.
  • Named after Portrush's first major champion, there isn't a huge amount to work with off the tee. Staying out of the fairway bunker is a must.
  • A picturesque hole with a dogleg right. If the pin is stuck right up the back of the green, expect to see a few of the more ambitious shots head down over the cliff face.
  • Another short par three, but the two-tiered green is a true putting test.
  • Locals aim for the tall radio mast in the distance from the tee box. The hardest hole on the course with some nasty greenside bunkers for those who come up short.
  • Not the longest par four, but narrowing fairways and a hidden green make for a real test of accuracy.
  • The first of back-to-back par fives around the turn. A well-struck drive will bring the green into play but miss by a few yards and the fairway rough is as unforgiving as they come.
  • Eagle opportunities abound to begin the back nine, although the North Coast wind may well have something to say about that.
  • A downhill tee shot and a green with plenty of room. Miss it though and you'll find trouble in one of the five greenside bunkers.
  • Rated the hardest hole on the back nine but top pros will fancy their birdie chances. Three wood or long iron off the tee should leave an ideal, straight approach.
  • A lucky bounce or two could leave a very short approach, which is just as well as there's danger on all sides of the green.
  • The most famous hole on the course, tempting players to attack up the hill to a perched green. Miss and you'll end up chasing your ball down the valley.
  • Maybe the last genuine chance for a birdie. A downward sloping fairway to reward the big hitters.
  • A long dogleg right with fairway bunkers to give players plenty to think about off the tee.
  • If you can steer clear of the eleven bunkers and hold your nerve hitting into a long, narrow green, a finishing birdie may be on the cards.

All images (c) RoyalPortrushGolfClub.com

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Niall Kelly
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niall@thescore.ie

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