St Andrews' Road Hole lengthened for Open Championship

St Andrews' 17th, known as the Road Hole, has been lengthened by 40 yards ahead of the 2010 Open Championship, a change that aims to "ensure that the hole plays as it was originally intended"

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St Andrews' 17th, known as the Road Hole, has been lengthened ahead of the 2010 Open Championship.

Forty yards have been added to the notoriously difficult penultimate hole, making it 495 yards and an altogether tougher test for the professionals teeing up at the famous venue in July. 

Golf Monthly's January Poll asked whether the Road Hole should be increased in length with Forum and GM readers voting 75-25 in favour of 'No'. 

R&A Chief Executive, Peter Dawson, said: "The 17th was played at the same yardage in 1900 as it was in 2005 and this fuelled our belief that the formidable challenge of this iconic hole should be returned for the Open Championship.

"Over the years, we have seen the threat from the road behind the green, and to a lesser extent the Road Bunker, diminished as players have been hitting shorter irons for their approach shots, allowing them to avoid these hazards more easily.

"This change will ensure that the hole plays as it was originally intended."

 

 

 

 

 

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