USPGA Valhalla hole by hole guide: hole 18

The world's top 100 will all take part in the 2014 USPGA Championship for the first time in Major history

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By Nick Bonfield

published 30 July 2014

A closer look at the 18th hole at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky - host of the 2014 USPGA Championship

A closer look at the 18th hole at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky - host of the 2014 USPGA Championship...

Valhalla hole by hole: Hole 18 - Par 5 - 542 yards

There is potential for a grandstand finish at Valhalla, given the nature of the closing hole. The vast majority of the players who manage to avoid a sizeable bunker to the left of the fairway and a striking water feature to the right will be able to get home in two. The green is split into three distinct sections, but eagles are certainly attainable if you find the right portion of the putting surface. It's a tremendous closing hole and one that should produce a great deal of drama over the four days.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x