Kudos to the United States Golf Affiliation (USGA), who determined to shorten the par-4 sixteenth gap for the ultimate spherical of the U.S. Ladies’s Open at Lancaster Nation Membership.
As an alternative of enjoying within the neighborhood of 345 yards, which it has for the primary three days, the sixteenth will likely be greater than 100 yards shorter on Sunday. The scorecard will learn 232 yards, attractive gamers to attempt to attain the inexperienced from the tee.
An uphill, dogleg left, the sixteenth is among the most picturesque holes that Lancaster has to supply. Lovely bunkering surrounds this complete gap, making the tee shot nerve-wracking.
The green doesn’t provide a lot wiggle room, prioritizing placement.
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However the placing floor leaves no margin for error. It’s the smallest on the course and slopes severely from proper to left and again to entrance. So, any participant who decides to take this inexperienced on from the tee should keep away from going proper and lengthy. Ought to they achieve this, an up-and-down appears unlikely.
Realizing this, the USGA has put Sunday’s pin location within the again proper, 19 paces from the entrance, and eight off the fitting edge. Anybody who misses left and wanting that can have a fascinating uphill putt.
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However, in 2015, when In Gee Chun gained at Lancaster, the USGA determined to make use of the same tactic. They shortened the sixteenth to 235 yards for the ultimate spherical, because it performed because the second best gap that day.
That event produced loads of drama down the stretch, with Chun birdieing the sixteenth and seventeenth holes to win by one. Amy Yang, who completed runner-up that 12 months, eagled the sixteenth to place strain on Chun.
Given the tight leaderboard that this version presently has, an exhilarating end will doubtless transpire once more. Twenty-five-year-old Andrea Lee, two-time main champion Minjee Lee, and Wichanee Meechai of Thailand all sit atop the leaderboard at a formidable 5-under par by means of 54 holes.
Hinako Shibuno of Japan is 3-under, whereas Yuka Saso, who gained this occasion at The Olympic Membership in 2021, is 2-under by means of three rounds.
Given the issue of this golf course, which has produced a scoring common of 74.25, something can occur on Sunday. However the USGA has given the contenders a terrific alternative on the seventieth gap of the championship. Whoever takes benefit of it’s going to most definitely emerge victorious.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
