The 153rd Open Championship makes its much-anticipated return to Royal Portrush, the site of Shane Lowry’s unforgettable triumph in 2019. Perched along Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline, this storied links course weaves through dramatic sand dunes and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic—making it one of the most breathtaking venues in golf.
But amid all the beauty and tradition, one hole continues to loom large: the par-3 16th, better known as Calamity Corner. Like other famous Open Championship holes such as the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon or St. Andrews’ infamous Road Hole, Calamity Corner carries a personality all its own. It’s a hole that doesn’t just test your swing—it tests your nerve.
This famous hole offers a different challenge as the aforementioned postage stamp and it starts with distance. At roughly 240 yards, a longer club will need to be used into what is a smaller target. As the 3rd most difficult hole in the 2019 Open Championship, it’s elevation that proves to be one of the biggest factors. Sitting at the highest point on the course, there is little protection from the wind that blows off the Atlantic coast.
However it’s a dreaded miss to the right that could be most costly. A wayward tee shot could find a deep ravine that is just waiting to swallow up any slightly off tee shot, which could find themselves up to 100-feet below the green.