Troon, Scotland. This week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon will once again shine a bright spotlight on one of the most compelling holes in all of major championship golf.
The par-3 8th plays just 123 yards but the need for total precision is front and center. Hence the name “Postage Stamp” highlighting the small target perched with dangerous fall-offs awaiting the slightest mishap.
Matters get especially complicated when the vagaries of Mother Nature insist on being involved.
Few holes unnerve elite golfers as much as short holes of consequence. Examples include the short par-4 10th at Riviera, the island green par-3 17th at TPC Sawgrass and the par-3 12th at Augusta National.
So much of professional golf today centers around the usage of power. That is why it’s fascinating to observe how short holes can inflict such mental anguish on those competing at the highest of levels.
Troon’s 8th is the shortest of holes played among the courses staging The Open. Over the years, the “Postage Stamp” has played a leading role in bringing to the forefront a range of indelible moments.
In 1973, Gene Sarazen, then 71-years of age, made a final statement on a most memorable career with a hole-in-one at the 8th. Using a 5-iron that bored through the blowing wind and after bouncing three times on the green proceeded to disappear into the bottom of the cup.
For an encore on the very next day – Sarazen found one of the five bunkers surrounding the green and then skillfully played his escape shot into the hole for a birdie.
In two days of play – the Squire had scored a 1 and a 2 on the most devilish of holes.
Fast forward to 2004 when Troon hosted its 8th Open Championship and it was Ernie Els who duplicated the Sarazen feat with an ace at the “Postage Stamp.”
While the feat was noteworthy the end results for Els were unable to propel him to securing the Claret Jug as he lost that year in a playoff to a most surprising performance by American Todd Hamilton.
In 1993 Greg Norman played a remarkable final round 64. However, the only blemish on the Shark’s scorecard was a bogey at the 8th pushing him into a playoff against Mark Calcavecchia and Wayne Grady and one he would eventually lose.
Four years later the “Postage Stamp” cancelled the delivery of Tiger Woods. During the final round in the 1997 Championship, Tiger scored a triple-bogey 6 when he hit into the back right bunker, took two shots to get out and ultimately three-putted.
The rigors of the hole start when reaching the elevated teeing ground. The view can be intimidating with the green nestling ever so close to a sand dune on the left. The green is wider towards the front and then narrows towards the rear.
When the wind is down the hole can yield a number of birdies. But there are few days when the wind is totally calm for long.
Club selection can vary immensely and the requisite skill to flight one’s tee shot accordingly can be an exhausting chore as circumstances can quickly change.
The 8th also marks the turning point in a round at Royal Troon. The golf holes that follow only intensify the demands players face.
Those reaching the “Postage Stamp” had best weigh matters carefully. Be mindful to have sufficient postage or be prepared to have one’s golf skills deemed — undeliverable.
Related: 5 moments from Open Championships at Royal Troon
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