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Carnoustie to set Open record

02/05/2007

Carnoustie in 2007 is set to be the longest-ever course to stage golf's Open Championship in its 147-year history.

Playing at 7,421 yards, the Scottish links will be 60 yards longer than the 1999 course, which also set a new record and resulted in the highest-scoring event of all-time.

The longer distance will favour the big-hitters and could play into the hands of defending champions Tiger Woods, who will be looking to take his third Open title in a row after winning at St Andrews in 2005 and Hoylake last year.

The monster sixth hole remains the longest on the course at 578 yards but extra hazards have been added which will challenge the players' driving ability.

Two bunkers at 250 to 275 yards now sit in the centre of the fairway with another pair 50 yards further along – providing a narrow corridor for players to aim for, or forcing them to lay-up short and play longer on their second and third shots.

Despite the sixth being one of only two par-fives on The Open course, the par-fours will generally be very challenging.

As many as seven of the par-fours, including the 499-yard 12th and 18th holes, are over 460 yards and the longest par-three, the 16th, will be 248 yards. The course will play to a par 71 for the tournament, which begins on July 19th.

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