After a relaxing morning milling around Liverpool, Kristen and I set out for Royal Lytham & St Annes. This beautiful links is nestled between the two seaside towns of Lytham and St Annes as you might have guessed. As this is the last week before school starts, these sleepy little beach towns weren't so sleepy. Kristen decided to venture downtown to the shops while I played so it was just me and my caddy Jimmy today. I was excited to get the chance to play here since it just hosted the Open Championship in July of this year. It proved to be quite a test for the world's best then and I imagined she would the same for me today. She didn't disappoint. After a bit of putting practice in front of the Dormy House, I was ready to get going. This course is unique in that it starts with a par 3. It is the only one in the Open rota to do so. Seemed odd to start with an iron in hand but away we went. Can't complain though as I made birdie straight away. I knew this was going to be a good day......
After such a fast start, I wanted to make sure I kept it going. To do that, I would need to avoid the 206 bunkers that line the fairways and surround these beautiful greens. I was indeed able to avoid all of the fairway bunkers but did manage to find a few by the greens. Below are several photos from the bunkering along the front nine.
I remembered watching the trials and tribulations of Mickelson and company on the 8th hole. After getting a closer look at this fairway bunker that sits along the left side of the fairway, I can see why. Brutal! This second picture is of the massive bunker that sits just left of the green. You must be precise coming in to this severely elevated green or you will find trouble.
The back nine was just as impressive as the front. I was anxious to play the final four holes and see just what Adam Scott faced as he tried to hold on to his 4 shot lead. Before getting there though I had to take note of these trees off of the 13th and 14th holes. As you can see, the wind blows hard around here and these trees' growth patterns show you exactly which way it normally blows.
The last few holes didn't disappoint. As I stood on the 15th tee Jimmy challenged me to hold on to "my" 4 shot lead through the last four. The 15th was a stern test with the wind coming in hard from the left. A good drive and well played 2nd shot still left me short of the green. I missed my putt and dropped a shot. My lead was down to 3.
The 16th was a shorter par 4 than the last and the wind was a bit of a help. After a good drive down the right side I had a short iron into the green. Along the way to the green, Jimmy pointed out one of the course's original bunkers. Much different than the riveted faced ones they have today. Neither was appealing. My approach didn't hold the green but I was able to get up and down for par. My lead was still intact....
The 17th was another strong par 4 back into the wind. This time the wind was hard right to left. I split the fairway and had a 6 iron into the green. A good strike left me with 20 feet for birdie. Par it was to be. Pars would be just fine in this wind. Of note along the bunkers to the left of the fairway was a stone plaque marking the spot of Bobby Jones' miraculous shot into the 17th during the 1926 Open Championship. Pretty impressive considering where his ball was and that he was using a hickory shafted club. The first photo below is the view of the green from where he hit the shot. Impressive.....
The 18th is a beautiful par 4 that finishes right at the back of the Royal Lytham & St Annes clubhouse. There are bunkers everywhere and all of which needed to be avoided if I was to hold my lead. After a drive down the left side I ended up with 175 yards from the light rough. I had a good lie and really wanted to finish strong as I could see Kristen in the windows of the clubhouse watching me. My shot flew just left of the pin and ended up about 40 feet from the hole. This would be the longest putt I had all day and I didn't want my 1st 3 putt to come on my last hole, especially with my biggest fan watching me from above. Two putts later I shoot 78, having parred 3 of the last 4 holes coming in.
I love this place....... Thanks for a great day Royal Lytham & St Annes. See you tomorrow Royal Liverpool at Hoylake....
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