The 151st edition of the Open Championship has finally kicked off at the prestigious Royal Liverpool Golf Club, popularly known as Hoylake. The stunning course, which overlooks the Irish Sea, has seen many of the biggest names in golf lift the trophy, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in 2006 and 2014, respectively.

The century-old course promises a great deal of thrilling moments this time around as well, especially with all the brand-new changes that it has undergone over the years. As the tournament got underway on Thursday, one par-3 hole, in particular, is generating all the hype at the moment, with even LIV pro Brooks Koepka chiming in!

Brooks Koepka weighs in on new hole at Royal Liverpool

This week, an in-form Brooks Koepka is on the hunt for the sixth major title of his career after emerging winner at the PGA Championship in May. In his opening round, the 34-year-old posted a score of 70 (-1) after playing his last 8 holes in 3-under.

Later, in his post-round conference, Koepka shed further light on his performance on the greens, including his experience with the 17th green. So far at the British Open, the new par-3 hole has bamboozled many heavyweights of the game. “That’s death,” former major winner Adam Scott had said about it to reigning British Open winner Cam Smith on Tuesday.

So, what does Koepka think of the hole? “I think it’s a good hole. I think that’s how par-3s should be,” he confessed. “I’m not a huge fan of the 250 par-3s.” The golfer’s latest revelation comes after he recently termed himself a fan of par-3s that are 165 yards or shorter. Pursuing his first-ever British Open title, Koepka even named the 12th at Augusta, the 17 at TPC Sawgrass, and the 8th at Royal Troon as some of his favorites.

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While the 17th at Royal Liverpool is only 136 yards, it is well-guarded by slopes and bunkers. From effortless birdies to unwanted high scores, anything is possible at the hole! This brand-new 17th used to be the 15th back in the day. The brainchild of renowned architect Martin Ebert, it offers breathtaking views of the Dee Estuary but also brings in significant challenges in the form of unpredictable coastal winds!

What have other golfers said about the 17th hole at Royal Liverpool?

No. 17 at Royal Liverpool is called the “Little Eye” after one of the Hilbre Islands located nearby. The name is very apt, considering the hole’s small putting surface. Be it the narrow fallout at the entrance to the tall fescue and waste areas at the front and back to the bunkers on the left and right, various obstacles loom large around the hole.

“It’s way more difficult than it was before,” 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm said about the hole. Rahm also shared that he was a fan of the old par-3 15, which was the “complete opposite” of the current layout.

Cam Smith had earlier shared that there is little to no room for mistakes at the hole. Earlier, on Sunday, the LIV London winner had hit a 7-iron into 30-40 mph wind.

Meanwhile, English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick simply termed the hole as “interesting.” But, unlike Fitzpatrick, his caddie, Billy Foster, did not withhold his real feelings. Foster told Golf Monthly that there was nothing wrong with the old setup and the new no. 17 is a “monstrosity,” in his opinion.

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What are your thoughts on the challenging new feature of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club? Who do you think will emerge winner at the venue this year? Let us know in the comments below!