British Open course to be lengthened 158 yards

Tom Watson of the U.S. plays out of a bunker on the 18th, towards the club house, during his final round at the Senior British Open golf championships at Muirfield golf course, Gullane, Scotland, Sunday July 29, 2007. Watson won the championships with a score of level par. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

MUIRFIELD — The course at Muirfield will be lengthened by 158 yards for this year’s British Open.

The changes mainly deal with new tees at the second, fourth, ninth, 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes. There has also been some reworking of bunkers, and the 10th fairway has been moved to accommodate a bigger practice range.

Peter Dawson, CEO at the Royal and Ancient, says “we will be setting the course up to challenge the golfers.”

Muirfield is hosting the British Open for the 16th time since 1892. Ernie Els won the last title at the course in 2002, when it measured 7,034 yards. This year’s course will be 7,192 yards, with par remaining at 71.

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