MAGAZINE 2024-25

Above: A superb photograph of our stunning par 3 ‘Little Eye’ with splendid views of the Dee estuary, Hilbre Island and the Welsh Hills. Though only 130 yards it proved to be the 8th hardest hole for the best players in the world. The crowds saw scores ranging from a hole in one by Australian Travis Smyth to quadruple bogey sevens.

 

Rory McIlroy at the heart of a great photo showing the first tee arena with the sun shining and stand full to capacity with 800 fans anticipating a great day’s golf. See how narrow the first fairway looks - no wonder only a third of the players hit it!
Rory McIlroy at the heart of a great photo showing the first tee arena with the sun shining and stand full to capacity with 800 fans anticipating a great day’s golf. See how narrow the first fairway looks - no wonder only a third of the players hit it!
In the second round, South Korea’s Sungjae Im struggled on ‘Little Eye’. Here he is in trouble behind the green playing his second, 20 yards from the pin. He could only get his ball to 33 feet - and went on to make 5. You can understand why some players feared the hole.
In the second round, South Korea’s Sungjae Im struggled on ‘Little Eye’. Here he is in trouble behind the green playing his second, 20 yards from the pin. He could only get his ball to 33 feet - and went on to make 5. You can understand why some players feared the hole.
A very busy photograph of Jon Rahm driving from the 15th tee during round two. This par 5 was the longest hole ever in Open history at 620 yards, but many players reached the green in two comfortably.
A very busy photograph of Jon Rahm driving from the 15th tee during round two. This par 5 was the longest hole ever in Open history at 620 yards, but many players reached the green in two comfortably.
A crowd of adoring fans gathered on the hill behind the 14th tee - one of the highest points on the course - to see Rory drive. He would eventually finish Day One with a level par 71 - five shots behind the 2023 Amateur Champion Christo Lamprecht of South Africa.
A crowd of adoring fans gathered on the hill behind the 14th tee - one of the highest points on the course - to see Rory drive. He would eventually finish Day One with a level par 71 - five shots behind the 2023 Amateur Champion Christo Lamprecht of South Africa.
Local favourite Tommy Fleetwood keeps his eye on the ball whilst reshaping the rough on the left of Hoylake’s 16th hole during round 3. Look at his finish!
Local favourite Tommy Fleetwood keeps his eye on the ball whilst reshaping the rough on the left of Hoylake’s 16th hole during round 3. Look at his finish!
To a rapturous reception despite the unearthly hour, home hero Matthew Jordan strides into the first tee arena at 6.31am to hit the opening tee shot of the 151st Open. How on earth did he remain calm with most of the gallery shouting his name?
To a rapturous reception despite the unearthly hour, home hero Matthew Jordan strides into the first tee arena at 6.31am to hit the opening tee shot of the 151st Open. How on earth did he remain calm with most of the gallery shouting his name?
The 5000 seat stadium around the 18th green in brilliant afternoon sunshine and a stiff breeze on Open Friday. The players averaged 4.98 strokes on this hole over the four days, making it the hardest par five in Open history.
The 5000 seat stadium around the 18th green in brilliant afternoon sunshine and a stiff breeze on Open Friday. The players averaged 4.98 strokes on this hole over the four days, making it the hardest par five in Open history.
Our cover picture. I’ve done it! Open Champion Brian Harman savours his moment of victory and cradles the Claret Jug oblivious to the heavy rain. He led after a brilliant 66 in windy conditions on day two and never relinquished the lead. His victory was underpinned by one of the best putting performances ever seen at a major, holing 59 out of 60 putts from 10 feet which included 14/15 from 5ft to 10ft and 35/35 under 5ft. To put it another way, he gained 11.57 strokes on the field in putting, and his stats confirm the quality of the Hoylake greens during the 151st Open. Just as impressive was the fact that Harman visited only two bunkers all week, and one of those was on the 72nd hole!
Our cover picture. I’ve done it! Open Champion Brian Harman savours his moment of victory and cradles the Claret Jug oblivious to the heavy rain. He led after a brilliant 66 in windy conditions on day two and never relinquished the lead. His victory was underpinned by one of the best putting performances ever seen at a major, holing 59 out of 60 putts from 10 feet which included 14/15 from 5ft to 10ft and 35/35 under 5ft. To put it another way, he gained 11.57 strokes on the field in putting, and his stats confirm the quality of the Hoylake greens during the 151st Open. Just as impressive was the fact that Harman visited only two bunkers all week, and one of those was on the 72nd hole!

Photographs courtesy of The R&A

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