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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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