Looking at the recent Open Championship at Royal Troon, we see some of the top players in the world struggling to navigate the challenging course. Shane Lowry leads the tournament after two rounds, while other big names like Justin Rose, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele are also in the mix. The defending champion, Cam Smith, had a tough time with rounds of 80 and 74, as did Tiger Woods and Wyndham Clark. The course’s layout, with its humps, bumps, fescue, gorse, wind, and rain, presents a formidable challenge for even the best golfers in the world.
Even professionals like Ewen Ferguson, playing in his home country of Scotland, found Royal Troon to be much tougher than he remembered. Changes to the course, such as new tees placed farther back and strategically placed bunkers, have made scoring even more difficult. When asked what a scratch golfer would have shot at Troon during the first round, players like Jason Day, Gary Woodland, Rasmus Hojgaard, Corey Conners, Victor Perez, and Adrian Meronk all agreed that it would have been a challenging day, with scores in the 80s being likely.
One interesting aspect that came to light on Friday was the worst-ball score of players during the second round. The cumulative score for holes 1-9 was 62, while the back nine yielded the same score, creating a total of 124 for the round. This demonstrates the level of difficulty that even professional golfers faced at Royal Troon during the tournament. It’s clear that this course is a true test of skill and provides a tough challenge for players of all levels.
As a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine, Nick Piastowski covers a wide range of golf-related topics. With a background in both writing and playing the game, Piastowski brings a unique perspective to his work. His stories often focus on ways to improve one’s golf game, whether it be hitting the ball farther and straighter or mastering different aspects of the game. Piastowski’s passion for golf is evident in his writing, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences with fellow golf enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the recent Open Championship at Royal Troon showcased the difficulty of the course and how it challenges even the best golfers in the world. With top players struggling to score well and even professionals finding the course tough, it’s clear that Royal Troon is a true test of skill and patience. As golf fans, we can appreciate the beauty and challenge of courses like Royal Troon and marvel at the talent and determination of the players who take on such demanding courses. And with writers like Nick Piastowski providing insightful commentary and analysis, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the game of golf.
