What is Calamity Corner? The Open Championship's brutal test, explained
When you ask golf fans in the United States about the most treacherous tests in the sport, usually you hear answers spanning from the 17th island green at TPC Sawgrass or Amen Corner at Augusta. Over in the United Kingdom, there's a portion of Royal Portrush known as Calamity Corner — and it's going to be the most-likely foil of anyone trying to win The Open Championship this week.
Here's what to know about Calamity Corner.
While Amen Corner in Augusta spans three holes, Royal Portrush's Calamity Corner is just one hole: No. 16 — a 236-yard par 3. The wind swept dunes and overgrown rough surrounding the green make this hole an absolute nightmare for those who miss the putting surface.
As our friends at Golfweek noted:
Especially for golfers that miss the green to the right. Those unfortunate souls will be cursing the name Calamity as they search for their ball swallowed by the dense rough at the bottom of the 50-foot-deep ravine. The consequences? A blind shot to a slick green from the thick stuff. On-course data experts ShotScope ran the numbers and found that this lethal combination resulted in players typically carding a bogey or worse 65 percent of the time at 16.
There isn't much relief if golfers miss left, either. Player will be forced to hit an uphill shot out of the collection area.
And if they can survive all that, they still have to get the ball in the cup. Already this week we're seeing multiple instances of Calamity Corner earning its reputation.
This 16th hole is known as Calamity Corner.With a narrow green, deep rough guarding the green, and trouble long, you're forced to fully commit—especially with a 21 mph wind off the left. The distance measures 236 yards.What club are you trusting in these conditions? pic.twitter.com/lTYNWeCO1X
'Oh god, I think hit the grandstand.'Johnson Wagner took the name Calamity Corner literally. 😅 pic.twitter.com/9W1NWlBzfK
On Thursday, No. 16 was the seventh-toughest hole on the course with players averaging +0.229 strokes lost. There were just 13 birdies made on the day compared to 80 pars, 33 bogeys and five bogeys or worse — and Thursday is when it should be playing at its easiest.
We can only imagine what Sunday at Calamity Corner has in store.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Here are our favorite apparel options featured in Peter Millar's 2025 Ryder Cup collection
We're just 60 days away from the loudest, most raucous and entertaining spectacle in all of professional golf. The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held Sept. 23-28 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, as the United States side looks to recapture the cup from the European team, who won it in 2023. Before the best players in the world head to the Big Apple, it's time to gear up with official 2025 Ryder Cup apparel from Peter Millar. The brand's Ryder Cup collection features a solid selection of polo shirts and outerwear so you can show your spirit for the game's greatest international competition. Check out some of our top picks below. Shop Peter Millar Ryder Cup collection Peter Millar - 45th Ryder Cup Jubilee Stripe Performance Polo The Ryder Cup emblem pops off this bright red striped Jubilee Performance Polo from Peter Millar. The shirt itself — included in Golfweek's favorite polos of 2025 — features the brand's signature "Summer Comfort" fabric makeup, which wicks moisture away from your body and allows for maximum mobility and stretch, promising a cool and comfy round on the golf course without sacrificing style or class. Peter Millar - 45th Ryder Cup Ryder Reversible Vest For a lot of us, fall weather can be unpredictable. It can be cool and damp in the morning and then warm and sunny in the afternoon. When you're playing golf in conditions like that, you need something versatile. What better way to celebrate fall golf than with a Ryder Cup-branded reversible rest from Peter Millar. This classic-looking piece is half windbreaker, half cozy sweater. One side features water-resistant microfiber material. Flip it around and you have Merino wool. This one is essential for your fall golf wardrobe. Peter Millar - 45th Ryder Cup Stealth Performance Quarter-Zip By the time the Ryder Cup rolls around, we'll be past the hottest months and depending on where you live, the weather could require a little outerwear. If that's the case, the Stealth Performance Quarter-Zip is exactly what you need. It's an ultra-lightweight pullover made from mostly polyester that wicks moisture and provides protection from the sun. It does all of that while looking sharp and fresh. Shop the entire Peter Millar Ryder Cup collection
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Is Scheffler on pace to be an 'all-time great?'
Ewen Murray joins Golf Today to discuss Scottie Scheffler's historic run and after winning The Open Championship over the weekend.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler would sacrifice one major championship to end Cowboys' Super Bowl drought
Scottie Scheffler has dominated on the golf course in recent years. This year alone, the world No. 1 golfer has won two major tournaments — the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. Scheffler is also a two-time Masters Tournament champion, but he admitted he would sacrifice at least one of his four coveted major titles in exchange for seeing his beloved Dallas Cowboys reach the mountaintop. "Gosh, I don't know. I would trade one, for sure, for a Super Bowl," the University of Texas alum responded when asked during a recent edition of the "Pardon My Take" podcast whether he would trade a major to see the Cowboys win it all. Those comments follow an admission Scheffler made before teeing off at The Open last week at Royal Portrus about the sport he dominates not completely fulfilling him before teeing off at The Open last week at Royal Portrus. While Scheffler is a New Jersey native, he has resided in Dallas for the majority of his life and is a self-proclaimed fan of the Cowboys. While the Waste Management Phoenix Open is not one of golf's four majors, Scheffler noted he would sacrifice several of his victories in that tournament in favor of seeing the Cowboys hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. "I've been rooting for a Super Bowl for a long time as well," the top-ranked golfer said before jokingly suggesting he's dealt with more disappointment when it comes to football than he has in golf. "A lot of hard work has gone into cheering on the Boys." The Cowboys have won five Super Bowl titles in the franchise's history. However, the upcoming 2025 season marks three decades since the team has won a championship. The Cowboys have also experienced limited postseason success over that span, and the have failed to advance to a conference championship game since the 1995 season. During Scheffler's lifetime, he's seen Dallas win just five playoff games. A hamstring injury derailed Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's 2024 season. The team finished with a 7-10 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Mike McCarthy was not retained as the head coach.
