Joshua Goedker
The 2024 Bridges Cup is about to get underway in South Korea, with elite mid-amateur golfers teeing it up at Haesley 9 Bridges.
Whereas the U.S. workforce has received the primary two installments of the Ryder Cup-style event, might the Internationals swing issues of their favor this yr? We’ll need to see which gamers step up throughout essentially the most nerve-wracking moments.
As a result of the strain usually peaks on essentially the most difficult holes, we tapped an knowledgeable on Haesley 9 Bridges, Simon Holmes, to clarify the three most important holes at this yr’s competitors.
These course-management ideas would possibly allow you to taking part in any golf course, however in the event you ever occur to seek out your self taking part in Haesley 9 Bridges, they’ll positively come in useful.
“I simply suppose [Haesley] is a superb venue for this type of elite match play,” Holmes says. “In the event you’ve received stroke play, you possibly can type of shelter it, as a result of you possibly can play the layup. However in match play, in case your opponent hits an ideal shot, you then’ve received to face up and match it. So in the event you’re not in type or aren’t able to go, we’re going to right away see that and also you’re going to lose some extent.”
The three most vital holes on the 2024 Bridges Cup
“What’s fascinating about these type of match-play occasions is that it’s principally golf’s model of the 100 meters,” Holmes says, evaluating it to a dash. “The primary six holes are a very powerful, with stats from the Ryder Cup exhibiting that. In the event you’re up after six holes, you win practically 67 % of the time.”
Which three holes would be the most important at this yr’s Bridges Cup? Holmes lists his selections beneath.
No. 6 — Par-3, 205 yards
“It in all probability doesn’t get tremendous juicy till gap 6,” Holmes says. “It’s type of received a weird-shaped inexperienced, so if the pin tempts you and also you miss it, you’re positively going to make a 4. So in the event you’re the participant taking pictures first and hit an ideal shot, man, you place your opponents underneath big-time strain.”
No. 15 — Par-4, 355 yards
“No. 15 is, man, it’s simply powerful,” Holmes says. “It performs throughout a hill. I suppose you could possibly get grasping and attempt to stand up there [off the tee], however a whole lot of guys are going to go away themselves about 140 yards in [instead of risking it with the driver]. However the man who goes for it will have a bonus, little question.”
No. 18 — Par-4, 451 yards
“On No. 18, there are such a lot of methods to get into hassle as a result of you may get actually claustrophobic. There’s water all the best way down the left aspect and up the opening to the inexperienced — and all the left aspect of the inexperienced is only a foot from the water,” Holmes says. “I simply suppose that, as gamers get nervous, we’ll see the emotion actually play out due to the best way the course is designed, since there’s no method to disguise worry. You’re going to be uncovered. If one thing isn’t working, we’re going to see it on this gap.”