Lytham lengthened ahead of Open

Extension ‘necessary’ to ‘bring course up to standard’ says Dawson

Open extension: The course at Royal Lytham has been lengthened by 200 yards and reduced to a par-70

This year’s Open Championship venue Royal Lytham has been increased by over 200 yards since the world’s oldest professional golf tournament was last staged at the Lancashire course in 2001.

The lengthening of the venerable links was announced this morning by the R&A ahead of the championship taking place from July 19-22 this summer.

The increase in distance has happened as a result of new tees being built at the second and third holes, as well as the tenth, 11th and 13th holes. In total, only four holes remain unaltered from 11 years ago.

“The changes that we have made are not revolutionary but have been necessary to bring the course up to the standards of others that we use for our championships,” said Peter Dawson, the chief executive of the R&A.

“There is no question that Royal Lytham is now a stiffer test than it ever was before and excellent course management will be required.”

Despite the lengthening, the course, which features over 200 bunkers, has been reduced from a par-71 to a par-70 in time for this year’s championship, following the decision to turn the sixth into a par-4. It had previously been a par-5.

Dawson added that the decision to increase the overall length of the course had been taken as a result of younger, more athletic players emerging on the tours globally who are capable of hitting the ball larger distances than before.

However, he sounded a note of caution for the future of the championship on the Lancashire coast.

“I think we are getting very close to the maximum in distance that we can go at Royal Lytham,” said Dawson. “This is definitely one of the tighter courses that we come to and we are very happy at this length.”

Despite the limitations on future expansion, Dawson insisted that Royal Lytham’s future on the Open Championship rota was secure.

“Whilst Royal Lytham is tighter than others, it’s still bigger than some of the venues that we go to,” he said. “As such, it remains firmly in our future plans.”

Dawson also insisted that there is “nothing in the boiler at the moment” in terms of adding courses to the Open rota, which will come as a blow to Royal Portush and the soon-to-open Trump International Golf Links Scotland in Aberdeenshire.

Trump is known to be keen to host an Open Championship at the course he describes as the “the greatest golf course in the world”.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered