This year’s 142nd Open Championship competitors will arrive to find a Muirfield course that has been lengthened by 158-yards since Ernie Els won the 2002 Open.
Muirfield, to the east of Edinburgh in Scotland, is hosting golf’s oldest major for a 16th occasion since 1892.
Peter Dawson, CEO at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, announced today (Mond) at the now annual pre-Open Championship press conference, major changes to seven holes at Muirfield.
The entrance to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers – Muirfield. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
When The Open was last staged at Muirfield 11 years ago the course measured 7,034 yards and this year will play to 7,192 yards and will remain at a par 71.
The biggest difference is on the ninth (see photograph below), where a land swap with neighbours the Renaissance Club has enabled the tee to be moved back 46 yards – extending the par-five to 554 yards – with a new bunker added on the right of the fairway and bunkers moved closer to the green.
Muirfield the golf course is laid out in front of you, you don’t get the humps and bumps you get at Royal St. George’s and others,” said Dawson.
“The players love it, it’s immensely popular and it’s always in fantastic condition, I always say we could hold an Open here any year at three weeks’ notice.
“We will be setting the course up to challenge the golfers. The rough has been cut down over the winter but it will regenerate depending on the weather we get. You will see the rough up and you’re unlikely to win an Open at Muirfield from the rough.
Muirfield to host its 16th Open Championship this year. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“What we have done with all Open venues is made alterations and upgrades.
“The score card of Muirfield compared to 2002 has increased about a total of 158 yards, which is about two per cent of previous length.
“So in general the changes reflect new back tees on two, four, ninth, 14, 15, 17, and 18 while there’s also been a considerable amount of tightening in bunkering around the greens requiring somewhat more accurate approach play than was required previously.
“This course has produced some fantastic quality of champions in the past and we envisage that continuing.”
Dawson admitted that apart from two holes, the 11th and 18th holes, Muirfield cannot be stretched any further for future Open’s
“We could go back at 11 and 18 but I think the R&A and USGA have said repeatedly that if hitting distances started to go away again we would rein things back and that remains our commitment,” said Dawson.
And Dawson indicated golf course designer, Martin Hawtree, who designed the new Trump International course at Aberdeen in Scotland, and the same person who is overseeing changes to the famed Old Course at St. Andrews, had overseen the work on Muirfield
The biggest change to Muirfield for the 2013 Open is a new back tee at the ninth hole – adding 46 yards to the hole so it now plays 554 yards. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
There has also been some reworking of bunkers while the 10th fairway has been moved half a fairway to accommodate a bigger practice range.
Hereunder is the yardage of Muirfeild in 2002 and what players will find later this year.
Hole 2002 2013 (Difference) Par
Hole 1 448 447 (Less 1 yard) 4
Hole 2 351 364 (13 yards added) 4
Hole 3 378 377 (Less 1 yard) 4
Hole 4 213 226 (13 yards added) 3
Hole 5 560 559 (Less 1 yard) 5
Hole 6 468 461 (Less 7 yards) 4
Hole 7 185 184 (Less 1 yard) 3
Hole 8 443 441 (Less 2 yards) 4
Hole 9 508 554 (46 yards added) 5
3554 3613 (59 yards added) 36
Hole 10 475 469 (Less 6 yards) 4
Hole 11 389 387 (Less 2 yards) 4
Hole 12 381 379 (Less 2 yards) 4
Hole 13 191 190 (Less 1 yard) 3
Hole 14 448 475 (27 yards added) 4
Hole 15 415 448 (33 yards added) 4
Hole 16 186 186 (No change) 3
Hole 17 546 575 (29 yards added) 5
Hole 18 449 470 (21 yards added) 4
In 3480 3579 (99 yards added) 35
Out 3554 3613 (59 yards added) 36
Total 7034 7192 (158 yards added) 71
