The Rolex Series arrives in Ireland for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week as the European Tour's best take on the unique challenge of Lahinch Golf Club.
The stunning links of the Championship Course was first designed by Old Tom Morris in 1894 and since then has seen names such as Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Dr. Martin Hawtree add their touches to what is widely regarded as one of the finest links golf courses in the world.
The first and second take you out towards the dunes and the third sees you play along the coast before you hit two holes that have been largely untouched in the last 125 years.
Klondyke - The 4th
The test of Klondyke comes from the hill that gives it its name. The huge mound sits right across the fairway around 150 yards from the green, leaving the player with a blind second shot through the 'V' on the hill towards the putting surface. This one usually plays as a par five for the members so take your par and get out of there.
Dell - The 5th
You go from a blind second shot to a blind tee shot for the 154 yard par three, the famous Dell. The signature hole at Lahinch, a white stone sits atop the huge dune in front to tell you where to aim but the real fun starts once you have cleared it because if you go long, you could be in very big trouble indeed.
The rest of the front nine sees you continue your journey through the dunes and along the coast until you move back inland and are presented with one of your best scoring chances.
Mine - The 13th
A 334 yard par four, some of the field will be tempted to take this one on but that may not always be the wisest choice. A pair of bunkers await if you go left and if you go further left you face the same treachery you do long or right, nasty long rough and a very tough up-and-down. A real risk and reward.
The testing par four 14th and 15th follow and then you come to the hole named after the course's original designer.
Old Tom - The 16th
The final par three on the course, Old Tom is 195 yards long and sees the players going off an elevated tee. The green is well bunkered with four potential traps around the putting area but if those are avoided, a great prize could await. The first hole-in-one on this hole will earn the player a BMW G15 840d xDrive Coupé.
A long par four presents the penultimate challenge before a final birdie chance awaits.
Shaw - The 18th
A 564 yard par five will have the players having to decide whether to stick or twist. There are 12 bunkers littered up the last, protecting the fairway off the tee on the left and the green on both sides. Will fortune favour the brave on Sunday evening?
