00:00 – Intro
00:13 – The Surprising Challenge at Portrush’s 1st Tee: Morning Mayhem at the Open
03:28 – Calamity Corner: The Brutal Par 3 That Defines Royal Portrush’s 16th Hole
1. The Surprising Challenge at Portrush’s 1st Tee: Morning Mayhem at the Open
Get ready for a wild ride as we dive into the first-tee carnage at Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links. The 1st hole, named Hughie’s, presented a unique challenge with its double-flanked OB, causing players to rethink their strategies. From Padraig Harrington’s birdie to Tom McKibbin’s nervous bogey, we explore the varying scores and the impact of the 15-20 mph wind. Join us as we analyze the morning’s events, including K.J. Choi’s driver mishap and Cam Smith’s surprising tee shot. Find out how Ben Griffin’s quick recovery from an OB tee ball set the tone for his day. This video is a must-watch for golf enthusiasts and anyone curious about the drama of the Open.
2. Calamity Corner: The Brutal Par 3 That Defines Royal Portrush’s 16th Hole
Discover the legendary Calamity Corner at Royal Portrush Golf Club—a par-3 hole that has haunted golfers for decades. Known for its treacherous layout, fierce winds, and deadly ravine, this hole is a test of skill and luck. Learn why it’s called ‘Calamity Corner,’ the history behind its design, and how it performed in the 2019 British Open. Explore the challenges of navigating Bobby Locke’s Hollow, the 39-yard deep green, and the strategies golfers use to survive this iconic hole. A must-watch for golf enthusiasts!
Key highlights: Wind-dependent challenges, 65% bogey rate, Darren Clarke’s insights, Shane Lowry’s victory, and the 2019 course redesign. This video breaks down the psychology, strategy, and history behind one of golf’s most feared holes.
One, the surprising challenge at Portricia’s first tea, Morning Mayhem at the Open. Two, Calamity Connor, the brutal part three that defines Royal Portrait’s 16th hole. One, the surprising challenge at Portricia’s first tea, Morning Mayhem at the Open. Imagine waking up to the most unpredictable and thrilling start to a golf tournament. That’s exactly what happened at the Open Championship in Portra, Northern Ireland. The first tea was a minefield and even the most seasoned golfers were not immune to its challenges. But here’s where it gets even more interesting. The first hole at Royal Portricious Danloo Lings is a par four that played 425 yards on Thursday and it’s a hole that’s steeped in controversy. Meet Huis, a hole that’s double flanked by out of bounds markers, making it a rare and daunting challenge for even the best golfers. The controversy surrounding this hole is not just about its difficulty. It’s also about the internal out-of-bounds markers that run up the left side. This land was once owned by a local man named Huey. And even though it’s now part of the portrait club, members prefer to keep it as it’s always been a nerve-wracking and maddening challenge. And with a 15 to 20 mph wind blowing right to left and into players faces, it’s no wonder that even the likes of Rory Marie have fallen victim to its wrath. But what makes this hole even more fascinating is the way it can affect the mindset of golfers. Take Tom McKibbin, a 22-year-old phenom from Northern Ireland, who admitted that he’s been thinking about this hole for the last 3 days. His fear was palpable and it’s no wonder that he missed left but safely inbounds escaping with a bogey. And then there’s KJ Choy who hit driver and only advanced 176 y reminder that even the most experienced golfers can struggle with this hole. As the morning wore on, the wind turned more directly across from right to left and scores reflected the change. Almost as many birdies as bogis were recorded with more pass than anything else. Enough to settle in as the sixth toughest hole of the morning wave, playing to an average of 4.27. But we would be remissed to not mention the actions of Ben Griffin, who launched his T-ball so far left it nearly clipped the grand stand surrounding the 18th green. Griffin reloaded quickly, this time clubbing down and finding the fairway, but ultimately making double. So, what can we learn from this hole? For one, it’s a reminder that even the most experienced golfers can struggle with the mental and physical challenges of golf. It’s also a testament to the unpredictability of the game, where even the smallest mistake can lead to disaster. And finally, it’s a reminder that golf is a game of strategy and skill where the right approach and mindset can make all the difference. But here’s the question. What do you think makes this hole so challenging? Is it the internal out of bounds markers, the wind, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s discuss what makes this hole one of the most feared in golf. Two, Calamity Corner. The brutal part three that defines Royal Portrait’s 16th hole. Prepare for heartstoppping drama at Calamity Corner. The infamous par three at Royal Portrush Golf Club during the 153rd British Open. This fearsome hole named with good reason is a 236y test of skill and nerf. Nestled in a dramatic landscape shaped by centuries of wind and the genius of designer Harry S. Colt Calamity Connor demands respect. It’s visually intimidating, shares JJ Spawn, recent US Open winner. Depending on the wind, it can be a real beast. Just managing four pass here could give you a significant advantage. That’s why they call it calamity corner. Disaster often lurks. The real danger comes if you miss the green to the right. Golfers who find themselves in the thick rough at the bottom of the 50-foot ravine face a daunting challenge, a blind shot to a slick green from an unfavorable lie. Data from Shot Scope reveals that this scenario typically results in a bogey or worse 65% of the time. Darren Clark, the 2012 Open champion and lifelong portrait member, captures the essence of the whole there’s no place like it. It’s brutal and beautiful, often at the same time. Situated at the course’s highest point, Calamity Corner offers little protection from the Atlantic winds. During the 2019 championship, it yielded just 24 birdies, the fewest of any hole. To the left of the green lies, Bobby Lock’s hollow, a swale that can provide a safer landing spot. Loach famously hit into this area four times during the 1951 Open, managing to get up and down each time. However, a good lie is never guaranteed with tight lies or thick rough adding to the challenge. Graham Macdow, the 2010 US Open champion, notes, “That’s a pretty good aim spot. Depending on the wind, you might need a tree ironed or on a good day, you could even take driver, but it’s a brutal hole. Calamity Corner stands out as a lengthy part tree that can make or break a round. Unlike many shorter part trees that offer the chance for easy birdies, this hole demands precision and power. John Rom, a two-time major champion, explains, “The main difficulty here is the length. You’re mostly looking at making par or a bogey. Anything more can quickly turn your round around.” To restore its challenge, a new back tea was added in 2019, extending the hole by 30 yards. During that year’s Open, Calamity Connor lived up to his reputation as the third hardest hole with only 41% of players hitting the green in regulation. Paul McGinley, a former European Rider Cup captain, praises Colt’s design for offering strategy and options. Coming up so close to the end of the round, it’s a hole you’ve got to be cautious on. He advises the green itself is a 39y diagonal challenge where finding the surface is just half the battle. Rory Marray learned this the hard way in 2019 when he forarted for a double bogey after hitting the green in regulation. In the end, Calamity Connor lives up to its name, offering a thrilling and perilous test of golfing skill. As players approach this iconic hole, they do so with a mix of respect and trepidation, knowing that one shot can turn their day around or send it spiraling into calamity.
