Hole by Hole Guide - 1st hole
Thursday 5th July 2007
Meet the experts
Colin Sinclair
Head professional at Carnoustie Golf Links. There are few people who know the course better. He gives his view on how the pros should tackle the course.
Fergus Bisset
Golf Monthly's contributing editor is a 2-handicapper who has played Carnoustie many times. He offers his playing tips for the visiting club golfer.
Paul Lawrie
The last man to win the Open at Carnoustie and a subsequent winner of the Dunhill Links Trophy in 2001. He gives the lowdown on a selection of the key holes.
Name: Cup
Par: 4
Championship Tee: 406 yards
Medal Tee: 401 yards
Colin Sinclair says: The opener shouldn't cause the players too many problems. The bunker lying 280 yards down the right is in range so they'll probably take a long iron and try to fire down the left onto the raised section of fairway. The green sits in a cup, hence the hole's name. It's a relatively straightforward approach, made harder if you've leaked the tee shot right.
Fergus Bisset says: Ben Hogan hit a 2-iron approach into this green in the first round in 1953. I think a repeat is unlikely this time around.
All-in-all it's a fairly gentle start, even for us mere mortals. A good
tee-shot down the left side will allow for a simple approach to a flat and receptive putting surface.
Paul Lawrie says: Unless there's a really strong headwind I probably won't hit driver here. I think I'll be using a rescue club and aiming down the left side to open up the green a little for the approach shot.
