The Old Course, My Best Shot

Two-time champion Padraig Harrington chose his second shot on the 17^th Road Hole in the final round of his 2006 victory. ‘It was a solid shot from the left rough to the middle of the green, about 20 feet. I was leading by three, but so much drama can happen on that hole, you don’t want to mess it up. After that I was able to wave to the crowds going down the last. A great shot under pressure. It was a shot I will always remember.’ #dunhilllinks #mybestshot

England cricket star Kevin Pietersen picks the 1^st at the Old Course ‘There just isn’t a better first hole in golf. I’m told the fairway is 129 yards wide, but it never seems that wide to me. Four times I’ve managed to miss it. In 2022 I got it right. Bombed it straight up the fairway, hit a pitching wedge in, missed the putt for a birdie, but got my par. That for me was good enough.’

South Africa’s Branden Grace says the par four 12th hole played a crucial part in his 2012 victory. ‘I had just bogeyed the 11th then I came straight back and birdied the 12th. I think that was when the momentum swung on the day. It’s not the longest of holes, but you need accuracy. When it plays downwind you can go for the green, but there’s gorse, there’s a bunker protecting the green, so you still have to get lucky. I just like the hole’.

A memorable match-winning moment for 2022 Alfred Dunhill Links champion Ryan Fox came at the 15th hole in the final round on the Old Course last year with a crucial birdie putt which he describes as his shot of the Championship, probably of his career. “Holing that 45-50ft putt gave me a two shot lead with three holes to play,” says Ryan. “It was good coming off the putter face and had good speed. There is always some luck with those going in, so it was pretty cool to see a putt like that go in under pressure.”