The Postage Stamp’s wind is not your ally. With a diminutive target and a narrow margin for error, you have only seven or eight yards to aim for, demanding both precision and courage. This superb golf course architecture prioritizes strategy over sheer power, emphasizing shot shape instead of the freedom to let loose.
“It’s a rare skill to test a player’s accuracy rather than just their distance,” noted Phil Mickelson, who narrowly missed out on a second Open win here in 2016. “The Postage Stamp exemplifies how top golfers can be truly challenged. I hope to see more of this moving forward.”
Xander Schauffele, who claimed his first major victory at the US PGA Championship in May, shared his thoughts about it on Tuesday with a grin. “It’s invigorating,” he stated. “It’s really challenging. I played it for the first time today, so it’s very fresh in my memory.”
“Most par threes we encounter are around 255 yards. Having a hole that’s quite daunting yet so short is unique, and I think it’s going to provide significant entertainment if the wind howls from the left. It’s more exhilarating than tackling a 250-yard hole in calm conditions, although it’s likely to be tougher.”
Every Open at Troon seems to deepen the narrative of the Postage Stamp.
In 1950, it was Hermann Tissies, a German amateur, who took an astounding 12 strokes to reach the green and then three more to finish the hole. Unfortunately, Hermann’s name faded into obscurity thereafter.
“It’s a straightforward hole, but a minor error can lead to a hefty price,” remarked Woods, who is a testament to that truth. In 1997, in just his third major appearance as a professional, Woods stumbled at the Postage Stamp after previously shooting a 64 in his third round; he found the sand and scored a six. That same year, Steve Bottomley from England recorded a seven on day one and a 10 on day two.
During practice in 2016, Rory McIlroy mentioned it took him “five or six attempts” to escape one of the bunkers. Henrik Stenson, the eventual champion that year, experienced a similar struggle and ultimately had to kick his ball out.
“I sometimes feel frustrated when the solution to distance problems is simply to keep extending the length of holes,” commented Scottie Scheffler, the world number one.
“Hole number eight offers a welcome opportunity to revert back in time and exert more control over your shots. It’s not necessary to stretch a par three to 230 yards for it to be great; a 120-yard hole can also be outstanding. Like the 12th hole at Augusta and the 17th at Sawgrass, the best par threes are often the shorter ones.”
“Such great short holes provide numerous chances to make a quality shot. If I miss the green on eight, I’m likely looking at a bogey unless I’m near the front edge. If I end up in the left bunker, I’ll be relieved to make a bogey because it’s likely that my ball will plug.”
“Superior short holes like that are exhilarating. Today’s players often overlook the importance of ball control, and this is a skill we must foster in golf instead of merely constructing ever-longer courses.”
Colin Montgomerie, a local hero who achieved remarkable success in the sport, once praised the brilliance of the Postage Stamp.
“Even during a practice session, standing there makes it feel like a card-wrecker,” he observed. “It has always been and will continue to be that way. It’s astonishing to think that a course could be designed in the 1870s and still hold its ground today. It’s phenomenal. Almost 150 years later, it still generates excitement and drama.”
Can it continue to do so? The fate of the Claret Jug this Sunday is shrouded in uncertainty, but the Postage Stamp’s ability to create intrigue remains as pertinent as ever.
