The 152nd Open Championship is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club this week, and it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into what makes this event so compelling.
Who better to shed light on the complexities of the game than Tiger Woods himself?
The eighth hole at Royal Troon, famously known as The Postage Stamp, is a mere 114 paces from tee to green.
On the surface, it seems deceptively simple.
But as Tiger Woods shared with Mail Sport, appearances can be misleading. “I’ve used everything from a 9-iron to a pitching wedge here,” Woods said.
“Sometimes even a 7-iron. It’s not about the length; it’s about hitting the green.
Miss the green, and you’re in trouble.”
Woods has felt the sting of this hole firsthand.
A triple-bogey here during the 1997 Open Championship cost him what could have been a winning round.
The Reality of the Green
At first glance, the green might seem inviting, and the carry appears minimal.
But don’t let that fool you. As Paul McGinley, Ryder Cup-winning captain, notes, the challenge intensifies with the wind. “A short par-three can be brutal with a crosswind. You need a wedge, but controlling the ball is tricky,” McGinley explained.
“If the wind picks up, expect high scores. A crosswind makes it even tougher.
And if you end up in one of the bunkers, you’re in for a rough time.”
Lessons from the Field
Watching players tackle this hole reveals the true challenge.
Yesterday, as various groups tackled the eighth hole, it became clear how quickly a good shot can turn disastrous.
For instance, Japanese player Jeung-Hung Wan made a great approach with a 50-degree wedge, but a minor miscalculation saw his ball roll away and end up in a deep bunker.
English amateur Dominic Clemons and 2009 Open Champion Stewart Cink took a more strategic approach.
Clemons received applause for a near-perfect shot with a gap wedge, while Cink focused on future pin placements with his caddy’s help.
“If you play these holes at one-and-a-half or two over par for the week, you’ll be doing well,” caddy Chris P Jones advised.
The Wind’s Impact
As the day progressed, the wind intensified.
Byson DeChambeau faced the shifting conditions with uncertainty.
His initial shots landed on the green, but his third shot, which he struck with significant force, went astray, landing in thick rough.
The frustration was palpable as he walked away without checking where his ball had ended up.
His experience highlights how even the best players can be caught off guard by this challenging hole.
The Postage Stamp continues to test the skills and nerves of golfers, proving that even the shortest holes can hold the greatest surprises.
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