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GolfBrief Staff
Compiled by the GolfBrief staff, and wire reports may have contributed to this story.
The Blue Monster's 18th bite
- By GolfBrief Staff
- Published 03/19/2008
- Primary Cut
- Unrated
There has been a lot of talk already this week at the WGC-CA Championship about the 18th hole at the Blue Monster.
Lengthened to 467 yards a couple of years ago, the 18th can be very difficult coming in, but usually that is only the case if the wind is blowing either right-to-left toward the water or into the players.
In 2007, the hole was the most difficult on the PGA Tour with a stroke average of +0.625, just edging out the 18th at Carnoustie for the British Open and the 18th at Oakmont for the U.S. Open.
But, if you look at the 18th since 2000, the hole doesn't have the same bite.
In fact, it averaged as the 149th hardest hole on the PGA Tour from 2000-2007 and it was the 521st hardest hole in 2000, the 323rd in 2003 and the hardest hole in 2004.
If the winds in South Florida blow this week in the right direction, the 18th could either be a monster or a lamb.
Lengthened to 467 yards a couple of years ago, the 18th can be very difficult coming in, but usually that is only the case if the wind is blowing either right-to-left toward the water or into the players.
In 2007, the hole was the most difficult on the PGA Tour with a stroke average of +0.625, just edging out the 18th at Carnoustie for the British Open and the 18th at Oakmont for the U.S. Open.
But, if you look at the 18th since 2000, the hole doesn't have the same bite.
In fact, it averaged as the 149th hardest hole on the PGA Tour from 2000-2007 and it was the 521st hardest hole in 2000, the 323rd in 2003 and the hardest hole in 2004.
If the winds in South Florida blow this week in the right direction, the 18th could either be a monster or a lamb.
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