FEARSOME THREE THAT COULD DECIDE COURSE OF RYDER CUP
WHISTLING Straits is on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, an hour north of Milwaukee. The course, which only opened in 1997, has staged three majors in the last two decades – US PGA Championships in 2004, 2010 and 2015. Interestingly none of the three winners were Americans, the titles going to Vijay Singh, Martin Kaymer and Jason Day. Here are three key holes which could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the 43rd Ryder Cup.
8TH: 507 YARDS, PAR FOUR
What a test this will give the players. Firstly, they face a blind drive, with dunes, bunkers and the lake on the right. The water forms a backdrop to a deep green with sand left and right. When course designer Pete Dye made changes to this hole, known as On The Rocks, he wanted to give it the look that the green was hanging over the lake, to make it as visually intimidating as possible.
15TH: 518 YARDS, PAR FOUR
Undoubtedly one of the toughest holes on the course, Grand Strand is a really demanding par four. The drive has to avoid sunken sand dunes to the right, while a hazardous approach into a long, narrow green could easily find sand if it goes left. The right is a little more forgiving, but would still mean a tough chip shot. Make no mistake, we’ll see some pars winning this hole over the coming days.
17TH: 223 YARDS, PAR THREE
The aptly named Pinched Nerve is one of the most treacherous par threes in world golf and is bound to give us great drama this week. The green is guarded on the left by sand dunes and bunkers that fall 20 feet below green level, with Lake Michigan beyond. Even Phil Mickelson in his absolute pomp would struggle to get up and down from the left-hand side of the green.