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Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #25 on: July 17, 2022, 04:43:17 PM »
I think if one could separate the drama from the hole, I'd have to nominate ANGC for this list.  Outside of 7, 18 looks to be one of the least appetizing holes on the course, especially with its current tee ball chute and sugar bowl bunker setup..

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #26 on: July 17, 2022, 05:20:54 PM »
It was amazing that the worst tee shot of the wee (deChambeau on Saturday) ended up with a perfect angle for a tap in birdie.
He did have competion for the honor by Justin on Thursday and Dustin on Saturday. I gave him the edge because it is hardest leg of the impregnable quadralateral if the stands hadn't been there.


My standard for the worst closing hole in championship golf is Olympic CC. Congressional was re-designed out.

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #27 on: July 17, 2022, 05:30:11 PM »
Got to give Olympic credit for providing a hole that plays easier for civilians during the week than for the pros on Sunday.

Jeff_Brauer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #28 on: July 17, 2022, 05:31:34 PM »
I think it's a very good one.  Many prefer the reachable hole on the final, i.e., driveable par 4 or reachable par 5, because of the two shot swing potential.  TOC is subtle in it's green defense.  Also, the crow gets so close which helps the atomsphere.


OT, but one of my most memorable moments came at the hole.  Playing with a fellow who had a big slice (definitely not a good shot patter for TOC) who had OB tee shots on several holes, he was determined not to hit it OB right on 18, with many spectators on the road, etc.  He aimed way left, to the first fairway and then managed to double cross it, bounding OB short of the starter's shack and eventually down to the beach, perhaps even in the bay.


His caddy, in the great tradition of Scottish caddies, said, "Well, ah never saw that before, but I've only been working here for 42 years!"


I agree with JK that 18 at Oly is probably the least attractive.  I was never fond of the par 3 18th at Congressional, or as noted by Tim, the slice dogleg right at Medinah.  I found 18 at Whistling Straits out of character, seemingly a too cute attempt to be really different to finish.  I'm sure there are plenty out on tour, like the old Warwick Hills in MI, which I don't think had any inspiring holes.  I don't think Pinehurst 18 is one of the best holes on the course, and I think the 18th at Hazeltine was just like all the other par 4 holes.  I think you could say the same of all the RTJ courses used in majors.


For the PGA, I would nominate one I was involved with a bit - the 18th at Kemper Lakes. 

« Last Edit: July 17, 2022, 05:45:16 PM by Jeff_Brauer »
Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Brock Peyer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #29 on: July 17, 2022, 05:41:52 PM »
I was surprised/disappointed that the last two groups today played 17 with all pars and then found it interesting that Rory and Hovland were so short of the green on 18 compared to the Camerons.

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #30 on: July 17, 2022, 06:26:11 PM »
I think of 17&18 as the finishers. Anyone who finds himself on the 17th tee one shot behind will be hard pressed to take 7 strokes on the last two to tie. If he does he deserves the tie.


As it turned out, Smith had to go 4-3 to keep Cameron Young from gaining two shots and forcing a playoff.  And Young very nearly finished 3-2!  :o

Tom Bacsanyi

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #31 on: July 17, 2022, 06:58:19 PM »
I think it's a very good one.  Many prefer the reachable hole on the final, i.e., driveable par 4 or reachable par 5, because of the two shot swing potential.  TOC is subtle in it's green defense.  Also, the crow gets so close which helps the atomsphere.


OT, but one of my most memorable moments came at the hole.  Playing with a fellow who had a big slice (definitely not a good shot patter for TOC) who had OB tee shots on several holes, he was determined not to hit it OB right on 18, with many spectators on the road, etc.  He aimed way left, to the first fairway and then managed to double cross it, bounding OB short of the starter's shack and eventually down to the beach, perhaps even in the bay.


His caddy, in the great tradition of Scottish caddies, said, "Well, ah never saw that before, but I've only been working here for 42 years!"


I agree with JK that 18 at Oly is probably the least attractive.  I was never fond of the par 3 18th at Congressional, or as noted by Tim, the slice dogleg right at Medinah.  I found 18 at Whistling Straits out of character, seemingly a too cute attempt to be really different to finish.  I'm sure there are plenty out on tour, like the old Warwick Hills in MI, which I don't think had any inspiring holes.  I don't think Pinehurst 18 is one of the best holes on the course, and I think the 18th at Hazeltine was just like all the other par 4 holes.  I think you could say the same of all the RTJ courses used in majors.


For the PGA, I would nominate one I was involved with a bit - the 18th at Kemper Lakes.


This comment triggered my distaste for 18 at Bethpage Black. One of the worst Open Doctored holes?
Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty.

--Harry Vardon

Ken Moum

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #32 on: July 17, 2022, 08:59:12 PM »
I was surprised/disappointed that the last two groups today played 17 with all pars and then found it interesting that Rory and Hovland were so short of the green on 18 compared to the Camerons.


Okay, but what a lovely par by Smith.
Over time, the guy in the ideal position derives an advantage, and delivering him further  advantage is not worth making the rest of the players suffer at the expense of fun, variety, and ultimately cost -- Jeff Warne, 12-08-2010

John Kirk

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #33 on: July 17, 2022, 10:24:28 PM »
I think of 17&18 as the finishers. Anyone who finds himself on the 17th tee one shot behind will be hard pressed to take 7 strokes on the last two to tie. If he does he deserves the tie.


As it turned out, Smith had to go 4-3 to keep Cameron Young from gaining two shots and forcing a playoff.  And Young very nearly finished 3-2!  :o

It wasn't surprising when Cameron Smith charged, but Cameron Young's performance was less expected.  After a three putt bogey, I had kind of written him off, but he responded with birdies at 3, 4 and 5 and got right back in it.  By the back nine he was smashing his drives straight and far.  He's sort of like Hideki Matsuyama with that pronounced pause at the top of the swing.  Anyway, Young was nails coming down the stretch.

Carl Rogers

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #34 on: July 17, 2022, 11:32:52 PM »
Agreed, Young has proved he has the stomach to play at this level.
I decline to accept the end of man. ... William Faulkner

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #35 on: July 18, 2022, 06:20:31 AM »
‘If’ is the middle word in ‘Life’ but ‘if’ Cameron Smith had messed-up the 17th then Cameron Young would likely be holding the claret jug as Champion Golfer of the Year and he would have achieved it by driving the 18th green and holing the putt for a 2.
Atb

Mike_Clayton

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #36 on: July 18, 2022, 06:36:15 AM »
What would have been fascinating was Rory having to make 3 to tie rather than 2. There is no pressure on a pitch you have to hole - not compared with one you have to get close enough to make a putt.
Over the years it's been a pretty good exposer of both frailty and strength of nerve. Rocca both in the space of three minutes.
Jack taking three from the front on the 72nd hole in 1970 then making an eight footer to win a day later.

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Worst closing hole in championship golf
« Reply #37 on: July 18, 2022, 08:18:55 PM »
Bethpage Black


Tim


That one sprang to my mind as well when I first saw the topic. Such a 1D hole - straight and heavily bunkered both sides fairway and green.

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