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The Age
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Age
Pro tip: The Australian golf courses that emulate the rugged British Open
Tiger Woods kept his assessment of the 16th hole at Royal Portrush short when asked for his view ahead of the 2019 Open championship. 'That's hard,' Woods told the Belfast Telegraph. His response shows the regard the pros hold for the 216-metre, tournament par-three hole; it's no surprise there's plenty of respect for one that goes by the name 'Calamity Corner'. It is not to be messed with at any time, let alone in the final stretch of a major tournament. But as the Open returns to the rugged, often windswept, course in Northern Ireland this week, golfers will have to navigate it on the biggest stage. If the links course was a ski field, this hole would be one of the more dangerous runs on the mountain, to be navigated carefully once each day and only spoken about when all four runs are complete. Get your line wrong, and you can be fighting for your golfing life within minutes. 'You just try to hang on' The beautiful course, set in the wild dunes on the edge of the spectacular Atlantic coast in Antrim, is named the Dunluce Course, after the nearby Dunluce Castle. The castle provided the exterior shots for House Greyjoy of Pyke in Game of Thrones. Dunluce is as wild and unkempt as a sailor's sentence, with several great holes nestled into the dunes where fescue grass can either bounce a golf ball up towards undulating greens or hide it like plankton swallowed up by a fish. When the wind blows, it is a crosswind on most holes, forcing the professionals into decisions they don't usually need to consider. The 57 bunkers on the course are like fly traps. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, competing this week, is not afraid of such conditions, but he knows what's in store. 'The whole golf course is absolutely beautiful to the eye, but it also plays absolutely brilliantly,' he said. 'You've got holes that you've got a chance, and then you've got holes that you just try to hang on.' Some regard the fifth, 'White Rocks', as both beautiful and perilous. Players have a view out over the ocean as they walk towards the green, which sits on the edge of a cliff. But go too long here, and you'll need to abseil down to find your ball. Still, it's a driveable par four, so the pros will chase the flag hard. The middle holes will sort the contenders from the pretenders. But then they will be confronted with a daunting reality: whatever they hope to achieve, it will all come down to navigating Calamity Corner. It's golf's version of the Hillary Step, the sheer and sometimes fatal vertical rock face that was the final challenge to reaching the top of Mount Everest. The local experience Australia's nine-man contingent is preparing to be greeted by strong winds and rain on the first tee of the 153rd iteration of the Open, and leading Australian hope Lucas Herbert compared Portrush to the National at Cape Schanck in Victoria and Barnbougle in Tasmania. Herbert tees off at 4.52pm Thursday (AEST), while 2022 champion Cameron Smith will tee off in the third group at 3.57pm. Former world No.1 and 2015 PGA Championship winner Jason Day will be one group behind at 4.08pm. NZ Open winner Ryan Peake will play alongside six-time major winner Phil Mickelson at 4.19pm, Marcus Leishman at 8.19pm, and 2013 US Masters champion Adam Scott starts at 9.09pm. Elvis Smylie plays alongside Sergio Garcia at 9.20pm, Min Woo Lee, who broke through for his first win on the PGA Tour in Texas earlier this year, tees off at 11.37pm and Curtis Luck is in the second-last group at 1.05am Friday. Herbert, who plays alongside Smith and fellow Victorian Leishman on the LIV tour, was relaxed during his Wednesday afternoon practice round, on a rare still, sunny day at Portrush. 'It's a strong test, this golf course,' Herbert told this masthead as he walked off the 18th green. 'I think they've had four or five days of heat so it's quite firm and fast, the course is playing the way they want it to. 'It's got some vibes of the National, definitely a Barnbougle sort of feel, maybe even Seven Mile Beach for those of your readers who have been down there. 'It's very exposed, it's a thick wind. It doesn't have to blow very hard here for the ball to be affected quite a lot. And obviously the elements come into it so much, it becomes exponentially more difficult once it starts raining and blowing, which, on the north coast of Northern Ireland is usually more likely than not.' He isn't wrong. Winds of 25km/h and eight millimetres of rain is forecast for the coastal town on Thursday, which could suit the likes of Herbert, who has a reputation for one of the purest ball strikers in the world. The 29-year-old finished tied for 15th at St Andrews in 2022, the year Smith saluted for the claret jug. 'It's nice to get back in the majors. We always get great support from Australians. Of all the countries that get behind their own players, I think Australia does it the best. 'It's nice to be back on everyone's radar and hopefully a good chance to compare myself with some of the best players in the world.' Gone with the wind Calamity Corner was part of a course redesign in 1932, by Harry Colt. It hasn't changed since then – although, when the course was upgraded for the 2019 Open (the last time it was held at Royal Portrush), it went from being the 14th hole to the 16th. From the tee, the green is just over 216m, and there are no bunkers. But the slightly elevated green sits beyond a daunting ravine on the right of those hitting off. The drop is mountain goat steep, the grass ready to put its foot on your ball's throat and hold it down. Hitting to the right is not an option unless golfers want to make a bogey or worse. Out here, with no water to allow a drop and no stance to play a chip to an unseen flag, they have no friends except self-recrimination. That's why golfers go left and are not fussed if they go a little short of the green, nestling into Bobby Locke hollow. The patch of grass is named after the South African star who apparently decided ahead of the 1951 Open, played at the same course, to hit his ball into that area every time he stood on the 16th. From there, he figured he could make par. He did, every time – no small achievement, considering that par was made only 41 per cent of the time in the 2019 edition. Two-time major winner Bryson DeChambeau said he thinks about multiple things when he stands over the ball. The heavy wind is so relevant he is studying what impact wind will have on shots he plays. 'Once that ball gets going with that wind, it's 'sayonara',' DeChambeau said. Masters winner Rory McIlroy could argue that missing the cut in 2019 came down to his first hole and the 16th on day one of the tournament. He hit his tee on to the green at 16 only to make four putts to record a double bogey. It was a calamity. But he'll be back this year, and McIlroy is the one the crowds have come to see, sharing local favourite status with 2019 winner Shane Lowry. He will bring Irish charm to the links course rather than technical efficiency, even as DeChambeau is trying to apply science. Loading 'You need to show quite a lot of artistry to do well here,' McIlroy said. The stage has been set for the 153rd Open; nine Australians will be venturing on to Royal Portrush with plans that will be lucky to last past the first hole. If any of the nine are still in contention at Calamity Corner, we will collectively hold our breath. Sam McClure travelled to the British Open with the assistance of Golf Australia.
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘You just try to hang on': The quirks and pitfalls of ‘Calamity Corner', the Open's danger hole
Tiger Woods kept his assessment of the 16th hole at Royal Portrush short when asked for his view ahead of the 2019 Open championship. 'That's hard,' Woods told the Belfast Telegraph. His response shows the regard the pros hold for the 216-metre, tournament par-three hole; it's no surprise there's plenty of respect for one that goes by the name 'Calamity Corner'. It is not to be messed with at any time, let alone in the final stretch of a major tournament. But as the Open returns to the rugged, often windswept, course in Northern Ireland this week, golfers will have to navigate it on the biggest stage. If the links course was a ski field, this hole would be one of the more dangerous runs on the mountain, to be navigated carefully once each day and only spoken about when all four runs are complete. Get your line wrong, and you can be fighting for your golfing life within minutes. 'You just try to hang on' The beautiful course, set in the wild dunes on the edge of the spectacular Atlantic coast in Antrim, is named the Dunluce Course, after the nearby Dunluce Castle. The castle provided the exterior shots for House Greyjoy of Pyke in Game of Thrones. Dunluce is as wild and unkempt as a sailor's sentence, with several great holes nestled into the dunes where fescue grass can either bounce a golf ball up towards undulating greens or hide it like plankton swallowed up by a fish. When the wind blows, it is a crosswind on most holes, forcing the professionals into decisions they don't usually need to consider. The 57 bunkers on the course are like fly traps. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, competing this week, is not afraid of such conditions, but he knows what's in store. 'The whole golf course is absolutely beautiful to the eye, but it also plays absolutely brilliantly,' he said. 'You've got holes that you've got a chance, and then you've got holes that you just try to hang on.' Some regard the fifth, 'White Rocks', as both beautiful and perilous. Players have a view out over the ocean as they walk towards the green, which sits on the edge of a cliff. But go too long here, and you'll need to abseil down to find your ball. Still, it's a driveable par four, so the pros will chase the flag hard. The middle holes will sort the contenders from the pretenders. But then they will be confronted with a daunting reality: whatever they hope to achieve, it will all come down to navigating Calamity Corner. It's golf's version of the Hillary Step, the sheer and sometimes fatal vertical rock face that was the final challenge to reaching the top of Mount Everest. Gone with the wind Calamity Corner was part of a course redesign in 1932, by Harry Colt. It hasn't changed since then – although, when the course was upgraded for the 2019 Open (the last time it was held at Royal Portrush), it went from being the 14th hole to the 16th. From the tee, the green is just over 216m, and there are no bunkers. But the slightly elevated green sits beyond a daunting ravine on the right of those hitting off. The drop is mountain goat steep, the grass ready to put its foot on your ball's throat and hold it down. Hitting to the right is not an option unless golfers want to make a bogey or worse. Out here, with no water to allow a drop and no stance to play a chip to an unseen flag, they have no friends except self-recrimination. That's why golfers go left and are not fussed if they go a little short of the green, nestling into Bobby Locke hollow. The patch of grass is named after the South African star who apparently decided ahead of the 1951 Open, played at the same course, to hit his ball into that area every time he stood on the 16th. From there, he figured he could make par. He did, every time – no small achievement, considering that par was made only 41 per cent of the time in the 2019 edition. Two-time major winner Bryson DeChambeau said he thinks about multiple things when he stands over the ball. The heavy wind is so relevant he is studying what impact wind will have on shots he plays. 'Once that ball gets going with that wind, it's 'sayonara',' DeChambeau said. Masters winner Rory McIlroy could argue that missing the cut in 2019 came down to his first hole and the 16th on day one of the tournament. He hit his tee on to the green at 16 only to make four putts to record a triple bogey. It was a calamity. But he'll be back this year, and McIlroy is the one the crowds have come to see, sharing local favourite status with 2019 winner Shane Lowry. He will bring Irish charm to the links course rather than technical efficiency, even as DeChambeau is trying to apply science. 'You need to show quite a lot of artistry to do well here,' McIlroy said. Loading The stage has been set for the 153rd Open; nine Australians will be venturing on to Royal Portrush with plans that will be lucky to last past the first hole. If any of the nine are still in contention at Calamity Corner, we will collectively hold our breath.
The Age
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘You just try to hang on': The quirks and pitfalls of ‘Calamity Corner', the Open's danger hole
Tiger Woods kept his assessment of the 16th hole at Royal Portrush short when asked for his view ahead of the 2019 Open championship. 'That's hard,' Woods told the Belfast Telegraph. His response shows the regard the pros hold for the 216-metre, tournament par-three hole; it's no surprise there's plenty of respect for one that goes by the name 'Calamity Corner'. It is not to be messed with at any time, let alone in the final stretch of a major tournament. But as the Open returns to the rugged, often windswept, course in Northern Ireland this week, golfers will have to navigate it on the biggest stage. If the links course was a ski field, this hole would be one of the more dangerous runs on the mountain, to be navigated carefully once each day and only spoken about when all four runs are complete. Get your line wrong, and you can be fighting for your golfing life within minutes. 'You just try to hang on' The beautiful course, set in the wild dunes on the edge of the spectacular Atlantic coast in Antrim, is named the Dunluce Course, after the nearby Dunluce Castle. The castle provided the exterior shots for House Greyjoy of Pyke in Game of Thrones. Dunluce is as wild and unkempt as a sailor's sentence, with several great holes nestled into the dunes where fescue grass can either bounce a golf ball up towards undulating greens or hide it like plankton swallowed up by a fish. When the wind blows, it is a crosswind on most holes, forcing the professionals into decisions they don't usually need to consider. The 57 bunkers on the course are like fly traps. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, competing this week, is not afraid of such conditions, but he knows what's in store. 'The whole golf course is absolutely beautiful to the eye, but it also plays absolutely brilliantly,' he said. 'You've got holes that you've got a chance, and then you've got holes that you just try to hang on.' Some regard the fifth, 'White Rocks', as both beautiful and perilous. Players have a view out over the ocean as they walk towards the green, which sits on the edge of a cliff. But go too long here, and you'll need to abseil down to find your ball. Still, it's a driveable par four, so the pros will chase the flag hard. The middle holes will sort the contenders from the pretenders. But then they will be confronted with a daunting reality: whatever they hope to achieve, it will all come down to navigating Calamity Corner. It's golf's version of the Hillary Step, the sheer and sometimes fatal vertical rock face that was the final challenge to reaching the top of Mount Everest. Gone with the wind Calamity Corner was part of a course redesign in 1932, by Harry Colt. It hasn't changed since then – although, when the course was upgraded for the 2019 Open (the last time it was held at Royal Portrush), it went from being the 14th hole to the 16th. From the tee, the green is just over 216m, and there are no bunkers. But the slightly elevated green sits beyond a daunting ravine on the right of those hitting off. The drop is mountain goat steep, the grass ready to put its foot on your ball's throat and hold it down. Hitting to the right is not an option unless golfers want to make a bogey or worse. Out here, with no water to allow a drop and no stance to play a chip to an unseen flag, they have no friends except self-recrimination. That's why golfers go left and are not fussed if they go a little short of the green, nestling into Bobby Locke hollow. The patch of grass is named after the South African star who apparently decided ahead of the 1951 Open, played at the same course, to hit his ball into that area every time he stood on the 16th. From there, he figured he could make par. He did, every time – no small achievement, considering that par was made only 41 per cent of the time in the 2019 edition. Two-time major winner Bryson DeChambeau said he thinks about multiple things when he stands over the ball. The heavy wind is so relevant he is studying what impact wind will have on shots he plays. 'Once that ball gets going with that wind, it's 'sayonara',' DeChambeau said. Masters winner Rory McIlroy could argue that missing the cut in 2019 came down to his first hole and the 16th on day one of the tournament. He hit his tee on to the green at 16 only to make four putts to record a triple bogey. It was a calamity. But he'll be back this year, and McIlroy is the one the crowds have come to see, sharing local favourite status with 2019 winner Shane Lowry. He will bring Irish charm to the links course rather than technical efficiency, even as DeChambeau is trying to apply science. 'You need to show quite a lot of artistry to do well here,' McIlroy said. Loading The stage has been set for the 153rd Open; nine Australians will be venturing on to Royal Portrush with plans that will be lucky to last past the first hole. If any of the nine are still in contention at Calamity Corner, we will collectively hold our breath.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Game of Thrones' Actress Shows Off Legs in Short Mini Dress with Thigh-High Slit
'Game of Thrones' Actress Shows Off Legs in Short Mini Dress with Thigh-High Slit originally appeared on Parade. is flaunting what she's got. The 29-year-old actress stepped out for an event in London this week, where she put on a leggy display in a short mini dress with a slit reaching all the way up to her thigh. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 In photos from the event on Tuesday, July 15, the Game of Thrones alum could be seen sporting an all-white outfit, consisting of a crisp linen shirt dress. The garment, which tied together at Turner's waist, left room for her legs to peek out through the slit in the fabric. The Joan star further accentuated the leggy look by adding a pair of white open-toed high heels. The striking new photos were taken as part of an event held in partnership with St-Germain, a brand of French elderflower liqueur. Turner, an ambassador for the brand, is the face of this year's "Sip Into Something Fresher" campaign promoting the St-Germain Hugo Spritz, which she happened to be sipping on in the new photos. Back in May, Turner shared Instagram photos from another St-Germain event, along with the caption: "Life lately: making memories, one St-Germain Hugo Spritz at a time ✨." "Hugo spritz summer 😍😍😍," one of her fans declared at the time.'Game of Thrones' Actress Shows Off Legs in Short Mini Dress with Thigh-High Slit first appeared on Parade on Jul 16, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Awards Magnet': Our instant 2025 Emmy reactions
The Emmy nominations are in and you'd better believe that the Gold Derby team has thoughts. On the latest Awards Magnet episode, deputy editor Ethan Alter and senior editors Denton Davidson and Marcus James Dixon are hear to sift through the big snubs and surprises that are a part of any Emmys announcement day. First a topline recap: Severance was the big winner — of the nominations anyway. The Apple TV+ show's sophomore season scored 27 nominations, a near-record eclipsed only by the 32 nominations recieved by Game of Thrones. Speaking of HBO series, The Penguin was the second-most-lauded series with 24 nominations, followed by The Studio at 23. Those are also the most-nominated series in their particular genre: Drama, Limited and Comedy. More from Gold Derby Emmys 2025 nominations: Best prediction scores by Gold Derby experts, editors, and users 'Grateful' first-time nominee Katherine LaNasa can't wait to see Jessica Williams, Jean Smart, and Julianne Nicholson at the Emmys Meanwhile, the biggest snub has to be Netflix's Squid Game, which came up empty for its second season after Season 1 became the first Korean-language series nominated for Best Drama Series. The Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth Moss also missed out on a final season nod — the show's only nomination was for guest actress Cherry Jones. As for surprises, all three Gold Derby editors were caught off guard by Uzo Aduba's out-of-nowhere nomination for the canceled Netflix comedy, The Residence. We also didn't see the Black Mirror resurgence coming as the sci-fi series scored 10 nominations for its most recent season. Finally, the trio makes some personal picks for their favorite surprises and least favorite snubs. Expect to hear some love for The Traitors, Interview With the Vampire and the late, great Somebody Somewhere. Email your questions to slugfests@ Best of Gold Derby Everything to know about 'The Pitt' Season 2, including the departure of Tracy Ifeachor's Dr. Collins Everything to know about 'Too Much,' Lena Dunham's Netflix TV show starring Megan Stalter that's kinda, sorta 'based on a true story' Cristin Milioti, Amanda Seyfried, Michelle Williams, and the best of our Emmy Limited Series/Movie Actress interviews Click here to read the full article. Solve the daily Crossword
