Events
The Open Championship’s Toughest 18 Holes
By Andy Wittry
Published on
David Cannon | Getty Images
Three of the toughest 18 holes in the history of The Open Championship are at Carnoustie Golf Links, where The Open was held in 2018. Only Royal Troon, which has hosted The Open nine times and most recently in 2016, can claim a higher number of the most difficult holes in the major's history.
Here's the full breakdown of the toughest holes at The Open, from 1982 to 2017.
- 1st Hole
Year: 2008
Location: Birkdale
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.52
Difference: 0.52 - 2nd Hole
Year: 2008
Location: Birkdale
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.37
Difference: 0.37 - 3rd Hole
Year: 2012
Location: Lytham
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.47
Difference: 0.47 - 4th Hole
Year: 1985
Location: Sandwich
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.60
Difference: 0.60 - 5th Hole
Year: 2009
Location: Turnberry
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.45
Difference: 0.45 - 6th Hole
Year: 2008
Location: Birkdale
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.77
Difference: 0.77 - 7th Hole
Year: 1999
Location: Carnoustie
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.47
Difference: 0.47 - 8th Hole
Year: 1986
Location: Turnberry
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.66
Difference: 0.66 - 9th Hole
Year: 1999
Location: Carnoustie
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.57
Difference: 0.57 - 10th Hole
Year: 1982
Location: Troon
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.57
Difference: 0.57 - 11th Hole
Year: 1997
Location: Troon
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.65
Difference: 0.65 - 12th Hole
Year: 1999
Location: Carnoustie
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.57
Difference: 0.57 - 13th Hole
Year: 1982
Location: Troon
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.58
Difference: 0.58 - 14th Hole
Year: 1988
Location: Lytham
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.63
Difference: 0.63 - 15th Hole (tie)
Year: 1982
Location: Troon
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.61
Difference: 0.61 - 15th Hole (tie)
Year: 1988
Location: Lytham
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.61
Difference: 0.61 - 16th Hole
Year: 2008
Location: Birkdale
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.40
Difference: 0.40 - 17th Hole
Year: 1984
Location: St Andrews
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.79
Difference: 0.79 - 18th Hole
Year: 1985
Location: Sandwich
Par: 4
Scoring Average: 4.62
Difference: 0.62
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