fbpx
Top 100 links golf courses in GB&I: 29 - Royal Liverpool

2014 Majors: We look ahead to the biggest weeks of the year

What you can expect to happen in the four biggest weeks of the year
 

The Open 
Royal Liverpool, July 17-20

About the course: Hosted 10 Opens up to 1967, then followed a 39-year break up to 2006. Modest views but a brilliant, and in the wind (which we never saw), testing course. 

What you will see: Given fair skies a host of players experimenting with TW’s ‘iron only’ approach off the tee. He hit one driver in ‘06.

What you won’t see: Sergio playing the final round in anything like the all-yellow ensemble he lined up against Tiger in. Supposedly Woods texted his inner circle ‘I just bludgeoned Tweetie Pie’ after his closing 67.

The Masters 
Augusta National, April 11-14

About the course: We’ve not yet been informed about a new bunker here or there so just expect more of the same. Which is the most immaculate piece of sporting terrain anywhere on the planet. 

What you will see: A stream of holes-in-one and near misses in the Par 3 and nobody wanting to win it, other than Gary Player. Otherwise expect Tiger to feature in the top five.

What you won’t see: A conventional set of 14 clubs from Phil Mickelson. The left-hander’s Augusta in-the-bag remains one of the most exciting bits of gear news in the golfing year. 
What you will see: Endless re-runs of Boo Weekley whipping his driver as he departs the 1st tee against Oliver Wilson six years ago. The US Open 
Pinehurst No.2, June 12-15

About the course: A quite brilliant strategic test with wide fairways but subtle lines of approach. Nicklaus described it as ‘totally tree-lined without a tree coming into play’.

What you will see: Players sweating buckets. In April, with temperatures in the mid 70s, it is perfect. In the middle of June even the local caddies leave town until things have cooled. 

What you won’t see: Rough. Unlike other USGA set-ups don’t expect to see graduated rough, there is none. Merely huge waste bunkers ahead of crowned greens. 

The PGA 
Valhalla, August 7-10

About the course: The third PGA at this parkland layout, though you’ll probably remember it best as the venue where the USA last won the Ryder Cup. New greens have since been laid to help with the look and playability though a creek still comes into play on four holes.

What you will see: Endless re-runs of Boo Weekley whipping his driver as he departs the 1st tee against Oliver Wilson six years ago. 

What you won’t see: Weekley, or Wilson. Positional (ie short) players tend to prosper here so don’t expect your big boys to overpower Valhalla. Cue a 1-2-3 of Johnson D, Colsaerts and Bubba.

Latest Posts

dp world tour 2024 schedule

DP World Tour

DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results

Read full article - DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results
liv golf schedule 2024

LIV Golf

LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result

Read full article - LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result
players championship field 2024

News

Players Championship field: Who is playing at TPC Sawgrass?

Read full article - Players Championship field: Who is playing at TPC Sawgrass?
LIV Golf

LIV Golf

How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?

Read full article - How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?
pga championship field

News

World Golf Rankings 2024: Who’s in the top 10?

Read full article - World Golf Rankings 2024: Who’s in the top 10?
LIV Golf

LIV Golf

Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

Read full article - Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?
rory mcilroy talor gooch

News

Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!

Read full article - Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!
viktor hovland prize money

News

Soulless, comical and sad: Viktor Hovland has a bleak outlook on golf

Read full article - Soulless, comical and sad: Viktor Hovland has a bleak outlook on golf
talor gooch

LIV Golf

‘It’s noteworthy’: Talor Gooch defends controversial Rory McIlroy asterisk claim

Read full article - ‘It’s noteworthy’: Talor Gooch defends controversial Rory McIlroy asterisk claim