GOLF: THE ROYAL & Ancient defied its reputation as one of the guardians of the game's traditions yesterday when it announced it is radically to alter golf's most celebrated hole, the Road Hole at St Andrews, before next year's British Open.

Under the changes announced by R&A chief executive Peter Dawson, the 17th hole will be lengthened by 35 yards, to 490 yards, with a tee built on an adjacent driving range.

“Over the years we have seen the threat from the road behind the green, and to a lesser extent the Road Bunker, diminished as players have been hitting shorter irons for their approach shots, allowing them to avoid these hazards more easily,” Dawson said. “This change will ensure that the hole plays as it was originally intended.”

At the Dunhill Links Championship recently the eventual runner-up, Rory McIlroy, used only a seven-iron for his second shot and birdied the hole.

The former tennis player, Tim Henman, now a scratch golfer, made a three at the hole after hitting the green with a six-iron.

Next year’s British Open will be staged at the Old Course for the first time since 2005, when a series of alterations – including the lengthening of the course and the construction of new tees on property adjacent to it – attracted charges that the governing body was “defacing” the most famous course in the world.

These critics are likely to be out in force again next summer, although in an attempt to deflect their ire the R&A claimed yesterday the inspiration for the changes to the Road Hole came from Henry Cotton, who said in 1964 he would like to see the hole lengthened and a new tee built.

However, the difference in 1964 was the hole played not as a par four – as it has done for years – but as a par five, presenting an entirely different challenge to the players.

“It has long been suggested that the 17th hole would benefit from additional length to restore the original challenge of the hole,” read a statement from the Royal and Ancient Club yesterday.

“In advance of the 1964 Open, three-time Open champion Henry Cotton recommended the alteration, stating: ‘I would make a tee just beyond the railway line on the other course (the Eden Course is now the practice range). It would restore this drive to its former value.’

“An increased premium will be placed on an accurate drive of sufficient length over the (railway) sheds, encouraging players to take driver from the tee.

“The fairway will be widened slightly on the left-hand side to ensure that the tee-shot remains fair.

“Crucially, the difficulty of the second shot will be re-established, making it more difficult to hold the approach on the putting surface and increasing the threat posed by both the road behind the green and the Road Bunker.”

Work on building the new tee will begin in the coming week.

The R&A said the changes to the 17th will be the only “significant” changes to be made to the course for next year’s British Open.

Guardian Service