Royal Liverpool Receives Added Length & Re-Layout for Open


Another major championship venue has gone to great lengths to challenge the world’s best golfers. Royal Liverpool, site of the British Open this summer on July 20-23, has received an additional 122 yards and now stretches 7,258 yards.

Of equal significance is the renumbering of holes. The present 17th hole will be played as the first, and the par-5 16th will serve as the new 18th. "We have slightly rearranged the way the holes are played to set competitors a more challenging final hole," said Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A.

"The 18th, measuring 560 yards, will present a birdie opportunity, but as a left to right dogleg with out of bounds ever present on the right, will also be a hole for potential disaster.

"Before knowing that the Open would be returning there, Royal Liverpool had foresight in exercising a strategic review of the entire course aimed at improving the flow from green to tee while also tightening up tee shots, bunkering and green surrounds. The changes to Hoylake have worked very well," added Dawson.

Royal Liverpool measured 6,995 yards when Roberto de Vicenzo won the Open there in 1967.