What's the "most difficult" finishing hole in Major Championship golf ?

[Kevin Pallier]

Of all the courses to have hosted a Major - which one do you think poses the toughest final test ?

From the courses that I've seen which have hosted The Open - Muirfield and Carnoustie + Royal Birkdale are my Top3 nominations.

Muirfield has a tight drive followed by a long iron to a very narrow green with deep bunkers either side. Carnoustie has it's burn and OOB as constant threats and Royal Birdale has all the bunkers and considerable length to navigate.

I find them all extremely difficult holes and would expect that they would be extra tough to face under the pressure of having a Major Championship at stake. What would be your Top3 nominations ?

[Adrian_Stiff]

In the UK, i'd say 18th @ Carnoustie is toughest. St George's and Muirfield probably my other two, perhaps Birkdales last green is fairly receptive, so would be my 4th toughest.

[wsmorrison]

Of the courses I've played, I would certainly say that Carnoustie and Muirfield are among the most difficult.  I think Merion East's 18th hole belongs as well.  It has been lengthened and plays to 490 yards from the championship tee.  You have to carry the ball 235 yards to clear the quarry and 245 yards to reach the fairway.  From there it is a slightly narrow roller coaster fairway to a green with a significant false front  with a continuing slope that short balls invariably roll down and balls with too much spin (usually a third shot) can travel as well.  There are large flanking bunkers at a broad opening to a green that is domed along the line of play.  The front half of the green slopes back to front and the rear half slopes front to back.  Over the green is thick rough and a very difficult pitch back to the green.  You are very likely to be chipping back once more from off the front of the green.

While Kittansett has only held a Walker Cup, its 18th is spectacular as is the 18th at Lancaster.  For some reason, Lancaster CC has never held a significant tournament.  It should!

[Jim Nugent]

18 at Oakmont was the toughest hole to par in this year's U.S. Open.  Average score was 4.602.  Almost exactly the same as 18 at Carnoustie in this year's British Open.  

[Anthony Butler]

18 at Oakmont was the toughest hole to par in this year's U.S. Open.  Average score was 4.602.  Almost exactly the same as 18 at Carnoustie in this year's British Open.  

Somehow the two leaders went par, par on Sunday at Oakmont. And 6,5 at Carnoustie. Carnoustie creates an element of doubt because you can't be sure driver is the right play. Bizarrely enough, one player took a driver and screwed it up and the other played conservatively and got it wrong.

For the world's best pros, knowing you need to hit a driver straight with no wind blowing to make you change your line is much simpler propostion.

[David Stamm]

Carnoustie would certainly be a top contender for the UK.

Oakmont springs to mind for the US, along with WFW. I think Riviera would be up there as well, under USGA conditions.

[Joe Hancock]

Seems like one of our site statisticians could come up with the answer to this.

Joe

[Mike Boehm]

Played in a U.S. Open set-up, I think the 18th at Oakland Hills is brutal.  The fairway is difficult to hit and the hump-backed green is not very receptive to a long-iron approach.

[Matt Kardash]

What about the 18th at Whistling Straits from the back tee down by the lake?

[Jay Flemma]

I'll vote for carnoustie.  barry Burn winds around itself like a stumbling drunkard, then the approach must deal with the burn AND sand AND out of bounds...AND pressure!

[mike_beene]

I think there is more going on on Carnoustie than Oakmont,especially with the ob left.I have pared 18 at Oakmont.I am not sure if I have even bogied 18 at Carnoustie.

[Jim Nugent]

Anthony is right, Carnie has taken a deadly toll on the leaders the last two British Opens.  And Mike Beene probably gives the reason.

Still, for the overall field, 18 at Carnie played almost identical as 18 at Oakmont.  Damn tough!  

[Patrick_Mucci]

Holes that have water hazards and/or OB have to be inherently more difficult.

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