LONDON -- Royal Liverpool has been lengthened by 122 yards and the order of the holes slightly altered for this year's British Open (July 20-23), organizers said on Wednesday.
The Hoylake course, staging its first Open since 1967, will
measure 7,258 yards and the present 17th hole will be played as
the first so the par-five 16th will be the last for the event.
"We have slightly rearranged the way the holes are played to
set competitors a more challenging final hole," said Peter
Dawson, chief executive of The Royal & Ancient.
"The 18th measuring 560 yards will present a birdie
opportunity but as a left to right dogleg with out of bounds
ever present on the right will also be a hole for potential
disaster.
"Before knowing that The Open would be returning there,
Royal Liverpool had foresight in exercising a strategic review
of the entire course aimed at improving the flow from green to
tee while also tightening up tee shots, bunkering and green
surrounds.
"The changes to Hoylake have worked very well."
Royal Liverpool measured 6,995 yards when Roberto de Vicenzo
won The Open there 39 years ago and has been adapted in work
carried out over the last six years.