PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON’S KEY BIRKDALE HOLES

HOLE 1:

On the first tee of the final round in 2008 Greg Norman had a driver in his hands, I had an iron and we were looking at each other wondering who had it right. Taking an iron does mean a long approach but it takes the out of bounds out of play down the right. For me, a driver off the first tee with no room for error is a high-risk shot to begin your round with. Either way, it’s a hole to make a four on and run to the second tee. There are other holes to make your gains.

HOLE 6:

This is another brutal par four, with a big cross bunker that gobbles up the ball if you take a driver. The tee shot of choice is one that kicks away from the bunker but even then the green isn’t easy to find. The upside is it is not a difficult chip and putt from around that green. Suffice to say, even a bogey five is not going to do too much damage on one of the toughest par fours you’ll see.

HOLE 15:

You reach this tee following 14 holes where you’ve been given absolutely nothing. Now you’re thinking: it’s the first par five, I have to make a birdie, but it’s anything but a gimme four. Nothing about this hole is easy, including the psychology of it. You feel like you should take this opportunity and it can deflate a round if you don’t. If it was on the front nine you’d be thinking: ‘Get your five and move on.’ Four holes from home, however, you’re thinking you must make four.

HOLE 17:

A hole that is so out of character with everything that has gone before. It is the first on the course that is a giveaway birdie, or even an eagle. Downwind, players might even be hitting a wedge for their second shot. Whatever score you’re making to this point, it knocks your day back if you don’t pick up a shot on this hole. You reach the clubhouse feeling like you’ve let one slip.