The Open Championship and bunkers! It seems like a match made in heaven but many might disagree. The 2023 edition witnessed many complaints about the course difficulty with the athletes being especially vocal about the setup of the bunkers. Fast forward a year and it seems the professionals will have to gear up for another similar challenge at the Royal Troon Golf Club – a course that boasts one of the scariest bunkers in the sport; The Coffin!

“The bunkers here … They’re hazards,” said R&A CEO Martin Slumbers ahead of the 2024 Open, “They’re deep. They’ve got big faces, and they’re designed to stay out of.” The official was not just alluding to the set-up on the infamous par-3, 8th, but was referring to the total 98 bunkers at the iconic course. Even so, some might only remember the ‘Coffin’ owing to it victimizing many golfers over time!

The tale of ‘The Coffin’ at the 2024 Open Championship

The hazard lies on the 123-yard, par-3 hole known as ‘The Postage Stamp’. Boasting a stroke index of 18, the layout was originally called ‘Ailsa’ owing to the perfect view of the rocky islet of the same name from the tee box. It has two bunkers protecting the left side of the green, with one being sod-walled off the same.

This hazard has proved to be more than what many could handle over the century. It took the 4-time major champ Rory McIlroy six shots to get out of the same during a practice round at the 2016 edition of the major. Tommy Fleetwood, who won the event back in 2019 at Royal Portrush, had much to say about the bunker and the hole, “I think the punishment for lack of concentration or a slightly bad shot is obviously very severe, but I think that’s what makes it … one of those unique holes…”

Gene Sarazen, however, managed to ace the hole during the 1973 Open Championship. But that didn’t mean that it was always easy work for the now-late golfer. “For many years, the Postage Stamp hole had haunted me,” divulged the athlete once in an interview with the Palm Beach Post, “When the crowd roared I realized that the ball was in the hole. I knew there was no better way to close the books on my tournament play.”

Even Tiger Woods wasn’t provided with any mercy when it came to ‘The Postage Stamp’ and the ‘Coffin’. During his first Open Championship, the younger version of the legend overshot the green to make a triple bogey. Joining him more than 20 years later was Bubba Watson, who also hit a triple bogey 6 at the par-3, 8th, all thanks to the ball falling inside the hazard. “I’ve been in that bunker all week,” said the pro back then, “Every time I play that hole, it’s killing me.” But, is that the only hazard that may prove to be difficult for the professionals? Think again!

The challenging bunker at ‘The Railway’

If the ‘Postage Stamp’ and its infamous hazard can confuse golfers, then it is also better to be wary of the par-4, 11th hole known as ‘The Railway’. The 483-yard layout is named so, courtesy of the train tracks that run parallel to the right side of the fairway. The danger doesn’t stop there. The athletes whose ball shies away from the tracks will be met with a deep pot bunker that is situated alongside the left corner of the greens.

Back in 1962, the defending champion of the event, Jack Nicklaus failed to make easy work of the hole and carded a 10 on the same. This, in turn, caused him to register an 80 at the end of the day while severely affecting his chances of victory. The hole, as a result of the bunker, even received a scoring average of 4.6 in 2016, causing it to own the nickname of the ‘hardest hole on the PGA Tour’ that year.

Other challenges for the field at the 2024 Open Championship

The Sandhills (par-4, 10th), the Fox (par-4, 12th), and the Crosbie (par-4, 15th) are some of the other holes that have bunkers that have caused problems for the athletes. The large sandhills on the 10th hole, the two bunkers on the left and right side of the greens at the 12th, and the well-bunkered approach on the 502-yard, 15th will surely prove to be a point of concern for the golfers.

Regardless of the various hurdles, the athletes on the field can only push forward to keep themselves in the run. One can’t help but agree with Martin Kaymer when he said the same. “Accept the penalty; don’t linger there,” said the golfer with a laugh, “Keep your round alive.”