GOLF:It's certainly a make or break finish
15th Par 3 (260 yards)
What's new:A new elevated championship tee was added to lengthen the hole by 22 yards. The front left and back right greenside bunkers were rebuilt and reshaped.
Rory McIlroy's take:The 15th has probably been the most talked about hole this week. It's a very, very long Par 3, and it looks more intimidating from the tee than it actually is down at the green. So all you're trying to do there is play to the front left of the green, take your two putts and make three. If you make four threes out there this week you're probably going to gain a couple of shots on the field.
16th Par 4 (476 yards)
What's new:A new championship tee added 35 yards to this narrow, uphill hole. The right two fairway bunkers were reworked, and a right fairway bunker was added for the longer hitters. The back greenside bunker was removed and replaced with a grass chipping area that swings around to the left. The front left greenside bunker was lowered and expanded to protect the left section of the green. The two small right greenside bunkers were replaced with one large bunker that guards the right section of the green.
Rory McIlroy's take:It is a long Par 4 up the hill. You've got to get a good drive away. The 14th and 16th are very slopey greens from back to front, so you've got to make sure that you try and keep the ball below the hole there with your second shot.
17th Par 3 (207 yards)
What's new:The elevated tee complex was rebuilt and the back tee was expanded. The fairway approach area to the right of the green was lowered. In place of the previous three small bunkers behind the green, one large bold deep sculptured bunker was created. The front of the green was expanded towards the lake, creating additional front hole locations.
Rory McIlroy's take: It has got water on it again but it is probably the gentlest hole of the last four, I think. It's a mid-iron in there, and as long as you strike it well and get it over the water, you should be okay.
18th Par 4 (507 yards)
What's new: In the first landing zone, the five right fairway bunkers were replaced by four bunkers, and the corner of the pond was expanded towards the tee by 15 to 18 yards. In the second landing zone, a new right cross bunker was created. The small front left greenside bunker was removed and replaced by a new back right greenside bunker. The left greenside bunker was lowered and reshaped. The front section of the green surface was expanded towards the pond.
Rory McIlroy's take: A really tough finishing hole . . . you can be brave with your tee shot, take it a little further up the left side and maybe leave yourself with a shorter shot in, or play conservatively up the right and leave yourself a longer iron (five-iron) into the green. The green is very small for a long Par 4. It is designed as a Par 5, so it's a very challenging hole to hit a long iron into.
