Why this sudden course change could decide the U.S. Women’s Open

LANCASTER, Pa. — If followers are hoping for an thrilling end at the U.S. Women’s Open, they could be in luck.

When the USGA launched course setup information forward of the ultimate spherical on Sunday, there was one change that stood out greater than the relaxation. The sixteenth gap — a brief par-4 flanked by eight bunkers — will play to only 239 yards on the championship’s ultimate day.

The quick par-4 performed between 340 and 350 yards over the championship’s first three days, however with the title on the line on Sunday, the USGA is giving participant’s an opportunity to go for the inexperienced late in the spherical.

Lancaster Country Club has been a beastly check for gamers by 54 holes at the 79th U.S. Women’s Open. The scoring common over the first three rounds of the championship was greater than 4 over, with simply 5 gamers in pink figures heading into Sunday.

While the William Flynn design has supplied loads of challenges to date this week (together with ejecting the world No. 1 with a ten), the sixteenth has been certainly one of the lone holes offering a professional birdie likelihood for rivals. Through three rounds, the gap performed as the fourth best gap on the course — and the second best on the tougher second 9. The gap ceded 42 birdies in Rounds 1-3, second-most on the inward 9.

For the ultimate spherical, anticipate that quantity to solely develop.

With the tee pushed up and the gap enjoying simply 239 yards, each participant in the area may have the alternative to drive the inexperienced from the tee field. As the leaders put together to tee off for his or her ultimate spherical, the gap already ranks as the best on the course on Sunday with a scoring common of three.6.

There might not be many birdie probabilities at Lancaster Country Club on Sunday afternoon, however the sixteenth might be certainly one of them. And if certainly one of the contenders can reap the benefits of the alternative, it could assist decide who etches their identify on the trophy.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and enhancing. Prior to becoming a member of the workforce at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers novice and girls’s golf. He may be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.