The 151st Open: The changes and challenges facing players at Royal Liverpool

There are quite a number of differences facing players this week than the one that they were tested by nine years ago, thanks to a new hole, differences in tee boxes, a different par, additional bunkers and a new orientation of the in-course out of bounds.

It will make for an incredibly exciting but formidable task, but what exactly is new?

Hole 10

The 10th hole is traditionally a par-five at both Hoylake and The Open, but will play as a par four this year for the very first time. Typically seen as one of the easier par-fives that presented a near-guaranteed birdie, it now makes more a testing par four.

Large mounds are situated in the middle of the fairway sits at about 350 yards, so positioning is key as it can present a challenging lie for the approach shot. A big bunker on the front right of the green presents the biggest challenge to the approach shot, and it will interesting to see how it unfolds.

Hole 15

A big change comes to the 15th hole, which was the 16th hole in previous editions of The Open.

Significantly lengthened since Rory McIlroy walked away with an eagle on the final day in 2014, the hole has been extended to over 600 yards, which could prove to be a tough test with wind into.

The added length should bring into play the bunkers which players bombed it over in the last edition, and two additional bunkers sit on the right-hand side that will also threaten drives from the elevated tee.

Those are the significant changes to the hole, which allows players to either go for the green, or play to lay up about 60 yards short - with a narrow landing spot and a bunker left, which numerous bunkers on the left also lining the green.

“That’s going to be much more of a real par-5 than perhaps it was in 2014 and 2006," said John Heggarty, Head Pro at Hoylake.

"Everybody loves playing downhill from a tee shot and this tee is set back in the dunes, but above the fairway, giving you a very beautiful vista. If we get one of the summer easterly winds, that will be a very long hole.”

Hole 17

The much talked about 17th is the new par three, named 'Little eye', will grab the attention of plenty.

At a140 yards, Hoylake's newest hole features a significantly raised infinity green that has considerable undulations and looks out towards the ocean and Wales, which is just a few miles away.

Precision is key to this hole, and if the wind blows it could easily see a bit number. Multiple and vast waste bunkers lead up towards the green, which also features two penalising bunkers either side. Coupled with big fall-off areas to the sides and more wasteland at the back, there's little room for errors on this hole without being faced with a difficult up and down.

And while making the green is going to be imperative on this hole, on the green undulations are considerable.

"So my honest opinion, I've tried actually asking quite a few pros to see exactly what they feel, and for me personally the new hole requires the right weather," said Matthew Jordan, who plays his home course this week after earning his way into The Open through Final Qualifying.

"I think if you're having 120 yards with no wind and it's soft, I think it's not going to create the drama that you guys probably want, that members probably want. However, if we get a bit of wind into, I think you will see guys make 2 but they will still miss the green.

"And 17, well, I see what they tried to do," added Jon Rahm.

"The old 15, par-3, was the complete opposite of the hole. You have a short downhill hole most likely downwind with basically all the edges sloping towards the centre of the green. I thought it was a good hole. You could make a birdie, and if you miss the green, a bogey was lurking.

"This time they made a really difficult turtle shell par-3. If you hit a good shot, put it on the green, you have a clear look at birdie. If you miss the green, you have a clear look at bogey. I would say if it is it's fair, because it's unfair to everybody. Like it's golf, and it's life. Simple as that."

Hole 18

Lastly, the 18th is primed to provide a thrilling finish.

Typically the 16th to members, it was introduced as the closing hole during Tiger Woods' emotional victory in 2006, and stayed that way for McIlroy's victory eight years later. Several changes to the hole this year should make for plentiful drama, with a longer hole and a narrower target the first challenge places will face.

The orientation of the internal Out of Bounds has been brought in by 20 yards on the right hand side, while a new tee box 50 yards back is significantly further right than in past editions, making for a narrow fairway. With a carry of 240 necessary to reach the fairway and bunkers situated on the left, a brave tee shot is required.

The out of bounds is in play too for the second shot as the hole curves to the right, while the green features three bunkers on the left hand side that will come into play for anyone hoping to bail out on the left.

"In terms of 18 bringing the out of bounds in, I think it's a lot better," said Jordan.

"I think it makes it a proper risk and reward hole. If you hit a good drive, you can go for it. Then even bailing out on the left, it makes the lay-up a lot tougher because it's a bit longer now.

"I think certainly from my opinion 18 especially has been a brilliant change."

Anything else?

A new fairway bunker awaits players at the first, while the green at the seventh hole has changed to showcase more subtle undulations.