Hoylake, England – Before the start of the week’s 151st Open, Australian Travis Smith made it clear he didn’t like the new 17th hole at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
“The hole is brutal,” said Smith. “Very brutal.”
Playing only 132 yards, the par-3 17 is protected by thick, rough, deep bunkers up front and cavernous bunkers on the back and sides. Players face a strong crosswind from their tee, as they look across the River Dee Estuary in Wales in the distance.
Smith, who plays on the Asian Tour, learned how brutal Little Eye can be when he bowled a 5 double bogey in the first round.
In Friday’s second round, Smith became the first player to win the holeshot. With a 9-iron, Smith’s ball bounced twice on the green before hitting the hole. He raised his arms and received his farewell from partners Brendon Todd and Roman Langaske.
One hole in the 17th!
Travis Smith with his historic shot at Little Eye. pic.twitter.com/CkgTl2lvtt
– The Open July 21, 2023
The ace moved Smyth’s total to 8 more, so he won’t be around for the weekend at Royal Liverpool. But he will leave England with a memory that will last a lifetime.