A Major First: PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge

A Major First: PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge

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PGA.COM July 25, 2013 12:23 PM

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (July 23, 2013) - For the first time ever, golf fans worldwide will be able to have a direct impact on the hole location of a major championship, through the newly created "PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge Hosted by Jack Nicklaus." The Challenge will be conducted in conjunction with the 95th PGA Championship, the Season's Final Major, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., Aug. 5-11.

A collaborative learning experience between The PGA of America and record-tying, five-time PGA Champion Jack Nicklaus, the "PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge" is designed to educate fans on how course setup impacts a golfer's strategy in playing a hole; attract more people to the game; and help explain what hole location information players are provided each day.



As a result, fans are encouraged to visit PGA.com from July 23-Aug. 10, in order to vote for one of four exciting and challenging final-round hole locations for the par-3, 181-yard 15th hole at Oak Hill. Nicklaus, whose final PGA Championship victory occurred at Oak Hill in 1980, collaborated with PGA Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh to select the picturesque 15th hole due to the impact it will likely have on the PGA Championship's outcome. As a result, Haigh has identified and selected each of these four distinct Championship hole locations for fans to vote. On August 11, during Sunday's final round coverage on TNT and CBS, fans will be able to see the winning hole position that will be used on the 15th green.

"The opportunity for fans to take part in the interactive 'PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge' is part of a new era in engagement that connects golf fans with the Season's Final Major in a fun and dramatic way," said PGA President Ted Bishop. "The PGA of America is delighted to present this innovative opportunity, as we believe this is the first time that consumers have been able to make a direct and significant impact on a global sports arena. We are honored that the legendary Jack Nicklaus will lead fans as their host and teacher in understanding the nuances that the greatest players in golf consider and think about regarding course setup and hole locations—and the effect their selection will have on the eventual outcome of the 95th PGA Championship."

PGA.com, the Official Website of The PGA of America which is managed by Turner Sports, will also offer video vignettes from Nicklaus that will educate golfers on how course setup impacts a golfer's strategy in playing a hole. Fans are also encouraged to follow the conversation via #pgachamp #YouPick.


"The chance for golf fans to interact with the PGA Championship and play a role in shaping the outcome of the final round fascinates me," Nicklaus said. "It's like being able to call the shots during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. In addition to playing a key role in the outcome of theChampionship, golf fans can learn many aspects of on-course strategy, as The PGA of America and I present educational videos to enhance their golf experience. I believe this new concept will serve as an exciting hands-on learning experience for golf fans and I'm happy to be involved."

Haigh, who has set up PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, and PGA Grand Slam of Golf courses since 1989, is excited about the possibilities of the Challenge. "Now, golf fans will experience what is involved with the selection of hole locations, as well as the dramatic effect that this placement has on the game plans of the world's best players. Accordingly, golf enthusiasts can then turn to the legendary Jack Nicklaus for his exclusive insight on golf course management."

A sweepstakes will also be held on PGA.com in conjunction with the "PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge," with entrants having an opportunity to win a behind-the-scenes experience for two during the 2014 PGA Championship at Nicklaus-designed Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. The PGA Championship perennially features the strongest field in golf and is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. Since 1916, golf's best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy, with a list of champions that includes: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen and Nicklaus.

About The PGA of America Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About PGA.com PGA.com is the official online destination for The PGA of America and is home to the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, The PGA Grand Slam of Golf and The Ryder Cup. Beginning in 2002, Turner Sports and the PGA formed a multi-year alliance with a mission to serve the golfing public, PGA Professionals and the golf industry with products and services to grow the game of golf. The two organizations recently expanded the deal through 2019 to include licensing with Turner's Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) serving as the PGA's licensing agent in the youth marketplace.

As a leader and innovator in broadband golf coverage, PGA.com continues to gain success for its PGA.com LIVE video presentation of PGA's premier events. In 2012, PGA.com's PGA Championship LIVE received a Sports Emmy for Outstanding New Approaches in Sports; in 2010, PGA.com garnered a Webby Award for Best Interactive Video for its 2010 Ryder Cup LIVE coverage. In 2009, PGA.com's on air, online and mobile coverage of the PGA Championship was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy and was awarded a CommArts Interactive award for the PGA Championship LIVE video and the PGA Championship iPhone app.

Turner Sports' award-winning coverage of PGA expanded

Turner Sports' award-winning coverage of PGA expanded

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PGA.COM July 25, 2013 12:27 PM

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Turner Sports will provide comprehensive multimedia coverage of the 95th PGA Championship held August 8-11 from Oak Hill Country Club's East Course in Rochester, N.Y. TNT will televise 18 hours of exclusive live action including six hours each day on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 8-9, from 1-7 p.m. ET, along with live coverage of the third and fourth rounds on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

This marks the 23rd consecutive year of Turner Sports' coverage of the PGA Championship and TNT's 15th straight year televising the event. TNT commentators will includeSports Emmy Award-winning host Ernie Johnson, analysts Ian Baker-Finch and Billy Kratzert and reporter Vince Cellini.

PGA.com, managed by Turner Sports, will offer extensive coverage of the event including live streaming via PGA Championship LIVE, an award-winning digital franchise with multiple live video streams allowing fans to follow marquee groups and par-3 coverage. This year, PGA Championship LIVE will offer fans a new and improved design including a larger screen devoted to video and a responsive design which allows for the best display across a wide variety of devices. PGA Championship LIVE is available on all platforms including desktop, mobile web and iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. PGA.com's announce team will include host Brian Katrek, analyst Michael Breed, featured reporter Matt Adams, course reporters Craig Sager and Ted Tryba and media center reporter Amanda Balionis.

Additionally, for the first time ever, fan voting on PGA.com will determine the hole location of a major championship through the newly created "PGA Championship Pick the Hole Location Challenge Hosted by Jack Nicklaus." Fans can continue to vote through Saturday, Aug. 10, via PGA.com to determine the location of the picturesque par-3 15th hole. On Sunday, Aug. 11, during the final round of the Championship, fans will be able to see the winning position.

PGA.com fan voting will also define the "PGA Championship: Moments of Glory." From Aug. 4-7, fans will be able to cast their vote from a list of 18 signature moments in PGA Championship history. The top five will be unveiled during TNT's telecast on Thursday, Aug. 8, and voting will continue through Saturday, August 10, until the top moment is announced during TNT's final round coverage and via PGA.com on Sunday, Aug. 11.


Additional cross-platform highlights:

TNT -- TNT Total Motion - a super slo-mo camera will deliver a definitive point of view for swing analysis and a review of specialty shots. -- Golf Trax - TNT and PGA.com will provide viewers with a virtual tour of the course along with an aerial view of a player's ball direction and a 360-degree view of each hole.| -- TNT Pro Tracer - viewers will be able to see the flight of the ball for select shots live during play. -- Walter Hagen feature - TNT will profile the career of Rochester native Walter Hagen, a five-time winner of the PGA Championship. -- Moments of Glory Flashbacks - a look back at some of the greatest moments in PGA Championship history. -- Billy's Course - TNT analyst Kratzert will take an in-depth look at the Oak Hill Country Club's East Course. -- Chasing the Trophy - a daily all-access look at Chip Sullivan, one of the PGA Club Professionals competing in this year's PGA Championship. -- Drive to The PGA Championship presented by Mercedes-Benz - Breed, 2012 PGA Teacher of the Year, will provide tips on how to play the course.

PGA.com

-- 360-Degree Camera - while watching PGA Championship coverage on the site, fans will be able to access a 360-degree camera that provides a panoramic look and natural sound from the course. Users can drag the camera right, left, or up and down in a 360-degree circle to see action from various vantage points including the practice range, putting green and other course locations. -- Video Highlight Hub - an enhanced experience will allow fans to search and browse by player, round, hole or top moment from the 2013 PGA Championship. -- Predict It - an interactive feature available through PGA Championship LIVE which will provide fans the opportunity to predict the outcome of situations that could happen on the course. -- Social Leaderboard - fans can get a closer look at the score and the social conversation surrounding each player through a more interactive leaderboard. Available via PGA.com on desktop, the enhanced leaderboard allows fans to see video highlights and follow the social conversation around each hole. The leaderboard is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and National Car Rental.

Mobile

-- Expanded Suite of Mobile Apps - Turner Sports will expand its suite of mobile apps this year with a new PGA Championship iPad app and a new Android app. The iPad app will provide users with news, video alerts, detailed leaderboard and scorecards and access to live video streaming. The Android app will offer access to news, the leaderboard and a player locator. Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, the apps are available via the App Store and Google Play. -- Mobile Website - in addition to the PGA Championship apps, the PGA.com mobile website will be enhanced to offer live video, live scoring, news and updates throughout the event.

Social

-- Twitter Mirror - making its first appearance at a major golf championship, the Twitter mirror will allow fans to see candid shots of their favorite competitors as players use the mirror to tweet out behind-the-scenes shots from the handle @PGA_com. -- Video Highlights - @PGA_com will provide fans with video clips of key moments and highlights during the tournament. -- Social Caddy - inserted within the leaderboard, fans can view social content by hole, player and key moment. -- #PGAChamp - using the hashtag #PGAChamp, fans can join in and follow the conversation from PGA professionals, analysts and other golf fans on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google +.

About Turner Sports Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is an industry leader in the delivery of premium sports content across all multimedia screens. Turner Sports' television coverage includes the NBA, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, NASCAR and professional golf. The company also manages some of the most popular sports destinations across broadband and mobile platforms including Bleacher Report and its top-rated Team Stream app, NCAA.com and the critically-acclaimed NCAA March Madness Live suite of products, PGA.com and the Sports Emmy Award-winning PGA Championship LIVE, as well as an accompanying collection of mobile sites and connected device apps. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, a robust collection of offerings including NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA Mobile, the NBA Game Time App, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com. Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.

American Steele grabs early lead at Canadian Open

American Steele grabs early lead at Canadian Open

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Steve Keating July 25, 2013 3:06 PM

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By Steve Keating

OAKVILLE, Ontario (Reuters) - American Brendan Steele took full advantage of ideal scoring conditions and fired a seven-under-par 65 to grab the early first round lead at the Canadian Open on Thursday.

Playing the back nine first on a brilliant sunny day at Glen Abbey Golf Club, Steele mixed eight birdies with a single bogey for a one-shot lead over compatriots Matt Kuchar and Scott Brown and Australian Scott Gardiner.

Steele had three birdies on his outward nine on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout and picked up the pace after the turn with five birdies over seven holes before dropping his only shot of the day at the ninth.

Kuchar, the highest ranked player in the field at world number six, mixed an eagle with five birdies and a bogey while Brown turned in a flawless round with six birdies.

"It was perfect conditions," smiled Kuchar, who has made 20 consecutive cuts, including all 16 starts this season. "I feel like last week, conditions were so challenging and so difficult at the British Open to come here and play golf that is more friendly and more what we are use to was great."

Gardiner, who has made the cut just twice in his last 16 events, opened his round with a par before reeling off six consecutive birdies to race up the leaderboard.

The Australian's red-hot start cooled with seven consecutive pars before he picked up another birdie at 15 followed by his only bogey of the day at 16.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

Jack Nicklaus course to host 2015 Cup in Korea

Jack Nicklaus course to host 2015 Cup in Korea

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Mark Lamport-Stokes July 31, 2013

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PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem speaks to the media at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village …


By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea has been chosen to host the 2015 Presidents Cup when the biennial team competition will be played in Asia for the first time.

The layout, located 40 miles west of Seoul in the country's largest economic development zone, was opened for play in 2010 and has since staged the over-50s U.S. Champions Tour's Songdo Championship, in 2010 and 2011.

It was also the venue for the KLPGA Tour's Korea Women's Open in 2012.

"Like Muirfield Village, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea is Jack's vision and an impressive venue in its own right," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement on Wednesday ahead of this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

"We are thrilled to take the Presidents Cup there, which is not only a milestone in the event's history, but also a significant step in further elevating the game of golf in Korea."

Finchem was referring to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village Country Club in Dublin, Ohio, which will host this year's Presidents Cup from October 3-6.


"As we looked at different golf courses, different venues in Korea, we kept coming back to Songdo as a place that had the capability to host the Cup," Finchem told reporters.

"And also because we had the competitive experience of the Champions Tour, we knew that it was going to be an outstanding venue to stage the matches of the Presidents Cup, as well.

The Ryder Cup-style competition, which pits a 12-man team from the United States against a line-up of international players from outside Europe, has been played away from U.S. soil on four occasions.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia hosted the 1998 and 2011 editions, Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate in South Africa staged the 2003 Cup and Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada played host in 2007.

The U.S. have established a virtual stranglehold on the Presidents Cup, winning the trophy at Royal Melbourne in 2011 for the seventh time in nine editions.

The only success for the Internationals came in 1998 when the event was first staged in Melbourne. In 2003, the teams battled to a 17-17 draw in South Africa.

The 2015 event will be held from October 8-11.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Julian Linden)

Golf-No rest for in-form Snedeker in hectic tour schedule

Golf-No rest for in-form Snedeker in hectic tour schedule

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July 31, 2013


By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio, July 31 (Reuters) - Most players tend to pace themselves with the occasional break heading into golf's big events but in-form Brandt Snedeker has no qualms about his plan to compete in every PGA Tour event left on the 2013 schedule.

Fresh from his second victory of the season at the Canadian Open on Sunday, Snedeker intends to tee it up all the way through the FedExCup playoffs before likely making his debut appearance for the United States at the Oct. 3-6 Presidents Cup.

"I'm playing the rest and no concern at all," the fast-talking American told reporters on Wednesday while preparing for Thursday's opening round at Firestone Country Club in the elite WGC event.

"I'm being really smart about practice and taking time away. I didn't touch a club since Sunday, had two days off with the family, which was nice. I'm being real smart about how much I'm hitting balls and practising, and should be fine."


Snedeker always knew he would have a hectic late schedule on the U.S. circuit this season, and he prepared by competing only once in May and just once between the U.S. Open and British Open.

"I made sure I was working on the right stuff, that we had a clear game plan of what we were going to do these last nine events, eight events, and start to execute it," the 32-year-old said.

"Any time you put a lot of hard work in to execute your game plan and what you want to do, you start feeling like you're doing the right stuff.

"My golf game feels as good as it's felt in a long time, and I'm excited to keep playing. I did the exact same schedule last year and it worked out pretty well. Hopefully I can do it again this year."

Snedeker believes he is close to the spectacular form he displayed at the start of this year when he recorded four top-threes in his first five events, including a two-shot triumph at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

"Beginning of the year, I was driving the ball fantastic and I was hitting a lot of greens and hitting my irons fantastic," he said. "I felt like I haven't been able to piece that together like I was early in the year.

"Last week my iron play was phenomenal, but I didn't drive the ball particularly well. I got really lucky last week a lot, and then to do that this week is not going to be successful.

"I've got to hit fairways this week. There's no way around it. If I can just kind of get that mentality of my driver that I've had with my irons the last couple weeks, everything should be pretty good."

Snedeker, bidding this week for a sixth PGA Tour victory, has been paired with Northern Irish world number three Rory McIlroy for the first two rounds at Firestone. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Julian Linden)

No rest for in-form Snedeker in hectic tour schedule

No rest for in-form Snedeker in hectic tour schedule

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Mark Lamport-Stokes July 31, 2013

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Brandt Snedeker of the U.S. hits from the twelfth tee on his way to winning the tournament during the …


By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Most players tend to pace themselves with the occasional break heading into golf's big events but in-form Brandt Snedeker has no qualms about his plan to compete in every PGA Tour event left on the 2013 schedule.

Fresh from his second victory of the season at the Canadian Open on Sunday, Snedeker intends to tee it up all the way through the FedExCup playoffs before likely making his debut appearance for the United States at the October 3-6 Presidents Cup.

"I'm playing the rest and no concern at all," the fast-talking American told reporters on Wednesday while preparing for Thursday's opening round at Firestone Country Club in the elite WGC event.

"I'm being really smart about practice and taking time away. I didn't touch a club since Sunday, had two days off with the family, which was nice. I'm being real smart about how much I'm hitting balls and practicing, and should be fine."

Snedeker always knew he would have a hectic late schedule on the U.S. circuit this season, and he prepared by competing only once in May and just once between the U.S. Open and British Open.

"I made sure I was working on the right stuff, that we had a clear game plan of what we were going to do these last nine events, eight events, and start to execute it," the 32-year-old said.


"Any time you put a lot of hard work in to execute your game plan and what you want to do, you start feeling like you're doing the right stuff.

"My golf game feels as good as it's felt in a long time, and I'm excited to keep playing. I did the exact same schedule last year and it worked out pretty well. Hopefully I can do it again this year."

Snedeker believes he is close to the spectacular form he displayed at the start of this year when he recorded four top-threes in his first five events, including a two-shot triumph at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

"Beginning of the year, I was driving the ball fantastic and I was hitting a lot of greens and hitting my irons fantastic," he said. "I felt like I haven't been able to piece that together like I was early in the year.

"Last week my iron play was phenomenal, but I didn't drive the ball particularly well. I got really lucky last week a lot, and then to do that this week is not going to be successful.

"I've got to hit fairways this week. There's no way around it. If I can just kind of get that mentality of my driver that I've had with my irons the last couple weeks, everything should be pretty good."

Snedeker, bidding this week for a sixth PGA Tour victory, has been paired with Northern Irish world number three Rory McIlroy for the first two rounds at Firestone.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Julian Linden)

Golf-PGA Championship course at Oak Hill hole by hole

Golf-PGA Championship course at Oak Hill hole by hole

August 5, 2013








By Mark Lamport-Stokes

Aug 5 (Reuters) - Oak Hill Country Club's East Course, which will stage its third PGA Championship from Aug. 8-11, was designed on a 355-acre plot of farmland by architect Donald Ross in 1923.

Its early reputation as one of the finest layouts in the United States was cemented when it hosted the 1949 U.S.amateur, won by Charlie Coe who beat Rufus King 11 and 10.

Following Coe's win, United States Golf Association executive director Joseph Dey, hugely impressed with the course, declared: "Where have you been for 20 years?".

Oak Hill held its first major professional championship in 1956 when Cary Middlecoff won the second of his two U.S. Opens, edging out Ben Hogan and Julius Boros by a shot.

In 1968 Lee Trevino won his first professional title at Oak Hill, becoming the first man to card four sub-70 rounds at a U.S. Open, and Jack Nicklaus won his fifth and last PGA Championship there in 1980, romping to a seven-shot victory over Andy Bean.

The East Course staged its third U.S. Open in 1989 when Curtis Strange successfully defended the title he had won the previous year at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts and in 1995 the course held its first Ryder Cup, which was won narrowly by the underdog European team.

In 2003 Oak Hill held the PGA Championship for a second time and American journeyman Shaun Micheel, ranked 169th in the world, sealed a shock victory by two shots after hitting a brilliant seven-iron approach to two inches on the final hole.

Heavily lined with maples, evergreens, elms and especially oak trees, the par-70 layout has consistently featured as one of America's 100 Greatest Courses in Golf Digest magazine.

Since its remodelling by Tom Fazio's design team for the 1989 U.S. Open and the 2003 PGA Championship, the course now measures 7,163 yards.

Here is a hole-by-hole look at Oak Hill's East Course layout:

No. 1 par four, 460 yards - A tough opener with out-of-bounds to the right and oak trees lining both sides of the fairway. However an accurate drive carrying 260 yards should set up an easy short-iron approach to an inviting green.

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No. 2 par four, 401 yards - A short par four, this slight dogleg right is best played with a long iron off the tee to avoid the deep bunkers on both sides of the fairway. Care is needed with the second shot into a small, fast-paced green.

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No. 3 par three, 214 yards - A challenging par three and one of the course's toughest holes, with deep-dish bunkers guarding both sides of a small green. Missing the green long and to the right will virtually guarantee a bogey.

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No. 4 par five, 570 yards - A definite birdie opportunity, this dogleg right should be reachable in two by most of the field. A high, fading drive off the tee needs to clear two deep fairway bunkers on the right, as well as out-of-bounds.

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No. 5 par four, 428 yards - A daunting par four, this sharp dogleg right requires the tee shot to thread a narrow shoot of trees and then avoid a creek winding into the landing area 250 yards out. A good drive will set up a mid or short-iron approach into a green protected at the front by the same creek.

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No. 6 par three, 175 yards - The easiest of the par threes, this hole was aced four times in the first hour-and-a-half of the 1989 U.S. Open. A large green is protected by a deep bunker on the right and water on the left and front.

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No. 7 par four, 461 yards - A tight driving hole with the fairway generally 22 yards wide and the tee box pushed back 30 yards. Allen's Creek lurks on the right to catch errant drives and the green is one of the smallest on the course.

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No. 8 par four, 428 yards - Deep fairway bunkers on the left need to be avoided on this par four. However, a good drive will set up a short-iron approach into a large green.

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No. 9 par four, 452 yards - An uphill dogleg right where the tee has been pushed back 35 yards. A challenging driving hole with the left side of the fairway sloping away to the left and treacherous 'Death Valley' lying to the right.

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No. 10 par four, 429 yards - A picturesque downhill hole with a slight dogleg left. Pinpoint accuracy off the tee is needed to set up a second shot into a smallish green, guarded by a bunker on the left and a creek on the right.

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No. 11 par three, 226 yards - Traditionally one of the easiest holes, it was toughened up ahead of the 2003PGA Championship with the tee box pushed back 30 yards. Although the green is encircled by bunkers, it offers a fairly receptive target.

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No. 12 par four, 372 yards - The best play on this shortish par four is to tee off with a long iron to set up an easy approach from around 150 yards. Another tight driving hole, with trees flanking both sides of a downhill sloping fairway.

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No. 13 par five, 598 yards - Allen's Creek cuts across the fairway at the 300-yard point on this 'Hill of Fame' hole, taking the receptive green near impossible to reach in two. Care is needed with the second shot to avoid bunkers on the right and trees on the left.

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No. 14 par four, 323 yards - Oak Hill's shortest par four is likely to be driven by several players in the field although most will opt to hit a long iron off the tee to set up an uphill approach into a two-tiered green.

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No. 15 par three, 181 yards - A challenging hole that demands an accurate mid-iron into a narrow green. Water protects the right and two bunkers guard the left. Tricky pin locations can make this a difficult putting green.

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No. 16 par four, 439 yards - A deceptive par four, with a very narrow landing area to catch rolling drives on a down-sloping fairway. However a good tee shot will set up a comfortable approach into a fairly large green.

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No. 17 par four, 509 yards - This dogleg right is one of the toughest holes on the course. A faded drive is required off the tee to avoid heavy rough and pine trees that guard the left side of the fairway, followed by an approach into an undulating, well-bunkered green that is difficult to hold.

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No. 18 par four, 497 yards - A new tee box installed for the 2003 PGA Championship stretched this difficult finishing par four by 30 yards. Another tight driving hole, it demands a fade off the tee followed by a mid-iron approach into a wide but shallow, elevated green well protected by bunkers on the right and hills and trees on the left. (Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes; editing by Tony Jimenez)