Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
Just two holes on from one of the longest holes in Open Championship golf comes the shortest – the iconic ‘Postage Stamp’.
Measuring just 123 yards, it should, on paper, be a formality. However, proof that nothing is ever straightforward, Royal Troon’s eighth holes commands the respect of all the game’s top players.
But just what do they all have to say about the arguably one of the most famous par-3s in the world?
Justin Rose: When asked to explain how hard, or fun, or difficult, or horrible the eighth hole is, the Englishman said: “All of the above, depending on the day, really. First time I played the Postage Stamp it was quite a nice day – just a little flick with a wedge onto the middle of the green. Not much to think about. But it’s not until you get down to the green that you realise how narrow it is.
“You realise it’s got quite a steep pitch left to right and you realise that if it falls into a right-hand bunker, it’s a really tough proposition to get out of there with a four, potentially.
CONTINUES BELOW…
Colin Montgomerie, whose father Douglas is a former secretary at Royal Troon, added: “The Postage Stamp is a special hole the way that the short par-3s of this world are special. There’s never been a decent par-3 over 200 yards, in my opinion, built.
“The expectation raises dramatically into, you’re on the tee and you’re a professional golfer. It’s your job and you’re expected to hit this green at 123 yards. You could throw it on, really. I wish I could. And that’s why it’s difficult.”
Speaking to the BBC ahead of last week’s Scottish Open, Graeme McDowell said: “There’s going to be carnage. If the wind blows in the direction I was playing it in last week you’re going to have all kinds of numbers. The bunker pin-high right is unplayable. I hit six-iron. The next day I hit eight. It’s a very changeable golf hole.”
On Instagram, all the Northern Irishman had to say was ‘Wow!’
The Postage Stamp :: Crucial this week?
Do you think the Postage Stamp will be crucial in determining who wins this week’s Open Championship? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.
ALL ABOUT THE OPEN
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses