Royal Birkdale Golf Club Hole By Hole Guide: Hole 15

A guide to the fifteenth hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England ahead of the 146th Open Championship

Royal Birkdale Golf Club Hole By Hole Guide: Hole 15

Hole 15 - Par 5 - 542 yards

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The 146th Open Championship takes place at Royal Birkdale this month, here is a guide to the fifteenth hole.

Related: Royal Birkdale Golf Club Course Review

The first par-5 finally arrives at the 15th, and there are no fewer than 15 bunkers on this hole!

However, if sand can be avoided, this hole presents an eagle opportunity.

It's also the start of the four hole playoff, if one is needed, where players will battle it out over the closing four holes to decide the fate of the Claret Jug.

For the professionals, there are three bunkers in play off the tee.

Sand left at 263 yards and two to the middle-right at 302 and 313 yards must be avoided.

For the long hitters, a good drive will leave an iron into the green, unless the wind is into, whilst the more modest-of-hitters will be going in with a 2 iron or three wood.

There are eight bunkers to think about when laying up, the first of which is 149 yards to the green and the last is 88 yards away.

The putting surface is protected with a bunker either side and anything long of the pin will leave a hellish putt down a big side-sloping hill.

This hole definitely presents an eagle or birdie opportunity if you can get your ball in the right positions, but if not, a bogey can easily be made.