Royal Troon Welcomes 2024 Open Championship

For the first time in eight years, the Open Championship is returned at Royal Troon Golf Club within the fascinating beach village of Troon, southwest Scotland.

The locals are humming with exhilaration, keen to peer the arena’s first-rate golfers address Troon’s famous humps and bumps, cheer for place of birth hero Bobby MacIntyre, and bid a fond farewell to Tiger Woods in what can be his final Troon Open.

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A Chance to Erase a Minor Stain

This week, the community isn’t only hoping for exciting golfing but also to a hazard to erase a minor stain on the path’s history. The closing Open at Troon in 2016 ended with an epic showdown between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson. They brought a masterclass in shotmaking, but some locals weren’t thrilled with how it spread out.

“It was like pitching darts out here,” a Troon caddie named Billy told me during a recent visit.

“Disgraceful,” said another.

“Very regretful,” added a third.

Despite the locals’ pride in hosting the event, Stenson’s 20-under, 264 for 72 holes—a record that still stands—left a bittersweet taste. The mild, windless conditions turned the storied course into a birdie playground, which didn’t sit well with everyone.

Troon’s Unique Challenges

Royal Troon is a classic links course that runs straight out and comes back with a few zigs and zags. The first two holes, both par 4 are nearly driveable for the field’s biggest hitters. But Troon’s real defense lies in its bunkers—98 fearsome pits with sodden walls that are true penalty areas to be avoided at all costs.

The course also boasts the longest and shortest holes in Open Championship history. The par-5 6th stretches 623 yards, challenging even the longest hitters like Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy. Meanwhile, the famed par-3 8th, which is known as the Postage Stamp, can play a mere 99 yards. Gene Sarazen made an ace in the 1973 Open at age 71, adding to the hole’s legend.

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Weather: The Great Equalizer

Scotland’s reputation for fearsome weather is well-earned, and it looks as if this week will bring some of that classic unpredictability. Dodgy weather at nearby Dundonald during the final Open qualifying last month hinted at what’s to come. The championship always brings to mind the wind and rain that battered Muirfield in 2002, leading to Tiger Woods’ infamous third-round 81.

This week, wind and rain are in the forecast, promising a stiffer test than in 2016. The second nine at Troon, with its armada of bunkers and dangerous par-4s and -5s mostly playing into the prevailing wind, will be a true challenge.

A Community Ready to Shine

Troon’s loyalists are ready to welcome the world with open arms. The closing par-4 18th will be the stage for dramatic moments, flanked by massive grandstands and the Open’s signature yellow scoreboard. From the clubhouse behind the green, members and VIPs will gather to watch the proceedings.

Is another birdie-fest on the horizon? Unlikely. With challenging weather conditions expected, the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon promises to be a true test of golfing prowess. And somewhere, the caddies are smiling, ready for a week that will hopefully restore Troon’s proud reputation.

This year’s Open is greater than just a golf event; it’s an opportunity for Troon to shine another time on the sector degree. Here’s to an extraordinary week of golf and a shiny future for this loved direction.