Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson have previously explained the hardest part of tackling The Open.
Two of golf’s greatest major champions have given their advice to current players about how to tackle Royal Troon. The Open will be held on the West coast of Scotland, in the course’s tenth hosting of the championship.
Despite being a historically low-scoring venue, with Henrik Stenson’s -20 victory in 2016 the most recent outcome, the course will provide ample test for the field this year.
The weather forecast also promises moderate wind and rain which will only further the challenge.
Open champions Nicklaus and Watson give their tips to the players taking on Troon
Five-time Open winner Tom Watson lifted the Claret Jug at Troon in 1982, while Jack Nicklaus counts three Opens among his 18 major championships.
Nicklaus’ first Open appearance was at Troon in 1962 and he has reflected on how tough the course played in 1997. Nicklaus has previously said: “Davis Love hit a 272-yard 5-iron on the front and used the same club from 149 yards on the back. Couples hit driver-3 wood short of the green on 15.”
Watson has also previously emphasized the importance of getting off to a good start, he stated: “It’s sort of like playing the Chicago Bulls… you know at the end of the game they’re going to be coming back at you, so you better get off to a pretty big lead.”
The Open will not be won until the back nine on Sunday
Watson and Nicklaus are not alone in their trepidation over the back nine holes.
Matt Jones shot five under par through his front nine in 2016, but proceeded to double bogey the 11th and 12th holes to give away four of those hard-earned birdies.
Steve Bowditch made a nine on the 11th that day, with 44 players dropping two shots on the railway hole over the Thursday and Friday rounds.
Three-time Open champion Gary Player has also said in the past that Troon’s back nine is “the most difficult in the world when the wind is blowing,” so the players won’t be counting their chickens until they are safely in the clubhouse.
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