The routing of Troon favors a series of holes that go out in a nearly straight line away from the clubhouse and then for much of the inward half follow a reverse direction back to the clubhouse.<\/p>\n
The first six holes provide the best opportunity for players to secure birdie opportunities as the prevailing wind is generally with them in this stretch.<\/p>\n
The middle portion \u2013 holes 7-12 — ramps up the requirements with testing two-shot holes at the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th holes. The 11th is a brutal 490-yard par-4 for the pros and was rated the most difficult hole of the 1997 Open Championship. Out-of-bounds and a railway line runs along the right-hand side. For those who err – big numbers can quickly get placed on one’s scorecard.<\/p>\n The final third of Troon features an array of challenging holes for the player to overcome with demanding two-shot challenges at the 13th, 15th and 18th holes. The penultimate hole is a treacherous long par-3 that will now play in excess of 240 yards.<\/p>\n Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert made minor adjustments to every hole for the 145th Open in 2016, along with more major changes to the 9th, 10th and 15th holes. A backdrop of trees behind the 9th green was replaced with dunes, the former bunker in the carry of the 10th was restored, and both tees and the early portion of the 15th fairway were moved to the left of the 14th hole, reinstating the old line of the hole.<\/p>\n There are only three new bunkers for the 152nd Open Championship, two on the 6th hole with the other added to the 1st fairway. Stenson’s win in 2016 was remarkable for both his four-round record of 264 and finishing with a then record tying final round score of 63 in capturing the Claret Jug. ***<\/p>\n Tom Mackenzie<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: The Postage Stamp.<\/p>\n John Fought<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: Tom Weiskopf winning his lone major and the fabulous duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson. The drama of both of these events was great. It’s also a golf course that generally goes out and back.<\/p>\n So, the wind can often make the nines very different. Great natural links course.<\/p>\n Stuart Rennie<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: Royal Troon is a special place where I have a personal affiliation being a member. I get a sense of pride every time I walk into the clubhouse or down the first fairway.<\/p>\n The club is steeped in history with memorabilia on show and many pictures of past champions holding the claret jug above their heads.<\/p>\n The test of golf is generally fair but can also bite when concentration is lost. Some say Royal Troon has one of the toughest finishing stretches in golf.<\/p>\n Forrest Richardson<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: Pure links golf. Old school.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Royal-Troon-Golf-Club-General-Views18.jpg\")
\nFour architects provide their respective assessments on the architectural elements Troon provides and what to expect from this year’s final major event.<\/p>\nWhen you hear the words “Royal Troon” what comes to mind?<\/h4>\n