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Conditions for scoring in the first round of the British Open at Royal St. George’s Golf Club are optimal, even with strong winds.
The course is firm but green, and players feel comfortable enough to attack the pins. Remember, the last time this event happened, Darren Clarke won it by 5 cents. Brian Harman was 4 under his first six holes Thursday morning.
And while the winds are expected to remain predominant, the lack of substantial length allows players to get close enough for strong approaches into the wind, then attack the greens when the wind is blowing their backs.
For example, Brooks Koepka had a nice breeze behind him as he headed for the tee at the 10th par 4 hole, which is played at 417 yards. The four-time major champion took a powerful cut and almost hit the green.
After the big drive, however, Koepka only made it on par. And while he’s yet to win at the Brits, he’s had great success across the pond, posting three top 10s in his last four major tournament starts.
As for the course, the Royal St. George’s opened in 1887 with a Laidlaw Purves course which has been refurbished and restored several times, most recently by Martin Ebert, who has worked on several British Open courses, including the Royal Portrush before the 2019 Open. Royal St. George’s ranks 9th on Golfweek’s list of the best courses in Great Britain and Ireland.
The course will be set at 7,189 yards with a par of 70 for this year’s Open.
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