HOYLAKE, England – They don’t really do new at The Open Championship. At places like Royal Liverpool, which joined the championship rotation in ’97 … that’s 1897, history is measured in centuries, which makes this week’s addition so out of character.
For this year’s championship, the R&A has rerouted Hoylake with Nos. 16 and 17 from the 2014 Open played at Royal Liverpool now playing as the 15th and 16th holes, followed by a new 17th hole, a 136-yard par 3 with a rounded green and plenty of bunkers.
Although it remains to be seen how the new hole will be received when play begins, early reviews from players have been lukewarm.