A hole lot of danger

Steve Millar’s guide to the toughest holes at Royal Birkdale

2nd 422 yds Par 4

ROYAL BIRKDALE was designed back in 1889 and the opening stretch of holes always provide a stern test for the world’s best players.

The second is a slight dog-leg left which always seems to play into the wind with two deadly bunkers on the right of the fairway waiting to gobble up any wayward tee shots.

The green is well protected as six sand traps guard it – four down the right and two down the left.

Get past this hell hole and heaven could well be lying ahead.

6th 499 yds Par 4

WHEN the wind whistles down the fairways from the Irish Sea it becomes a whole new ball game.

This dog-leg right hole is a brute because the typical wind and slope of the fairway takes the ball left.

The drive must dodge bunkers on each side of the fairway.

Find trouble off the tee and it’s tough to even make bogey.

In 2008, Padraig Harrington was two over par for the four times he played this hole, dropping shots during his first two rounds.

13th 499 yds Par 4

THIRTEEN can be unlucky for some.

This week it could well be unlucky for many.

The 13th hole offers a real test and requires a long and accurate tee shot – stray and you will certainly be saying hello to serious trouble and death by bunker.

Sand dunes offer a stunning backdrop behind the green but most people will need a tidy up and down in order to make a par here.

This is regarded as a classic links par four among the tour pros.

15th 542 yds Par 5

ANYONE who managed to negotiate the 13th safely is not out of danger just yet!

This is the first par five – one of only two on the links – and feels like a monster which goes on forever.

This is the place for lost balls – and lost minds as the 15th seriously bites back.

There are also 15 sandy graves on the way to a troublesome green.

Should a play-off be needed next weekend, this is where it would start.