“The rough is the worst for 30 years,” we hear on the putting green. At the same time Bubba Watson and Jeff Ogilvy drive off from the 1st – a friendly practice round before the Open.
Ogilvy & Bubba at Royal Birkdale
An hour later it’s time for LINKS75. “Are you Bill Haas?”. We look dumbfounded when his caddie for the day searches for his employer. “Are you playing next week?”. Are LINKS75 in The Open? Suddenly, people in the car park stop to watch LINKS75 tee off. The pulse is up in the low 180s. The 1st hole is a par 4, 430 yards. Nick Faldo’s favourite hole. It is like being in a film. Ryder Cup 1965 and 69 – Nicklaus concedes Jacklin’s putt on the 18th for a half. Arnold Palmer wins the Open 1961. Peter Thompson wins his 5th Open title in 1965 – also at Birkdale. The wind feels suddenly colder and stronger. In the group behind us is the 2011 Fed Ex Cup winner, Bill Haas. Our efforts are mixed – rough, par, rough, par. An amazing layout, the course spreads itself out among the sand dunes. Tufted bunkers to the right and left. Sand fills the air when we loft balls over a rim as high as a skyscraper.
Second hole at Birkdale
Wonderful surfaces on the greens which take the ball away from the holes. Wherever you go, there in the background stands the huge, white, Art Deco clubhouse. Inspirational. We use a 4-iron and drive straight into the wind. Every hole has its own character. An individual. An experience. In front of us Bubba has struck a driver and 3-iron into the heart of the 15th – 544 yards. Mr L wins 5 and 4. We follow the incredible 16th, 17th and 18th home. The 17th is a challenging par 5. The same for the 18th with two fairways that come together after 225 yards, from the white and yellow tees respectively. From the interior of the clubhouse we see Bill Haas sink a two-yards putt for an eagle and a 65 on the 18th. Birkdale with the pros.
English
Svenska