Royal Litham & St. Annes, site of this week’s British Open, suffers by comparison to some of the illustrious courses in the rotation. What are the five best for television viewing?
5. Turnberry » Often referred to as the “Pebble Beach of the British Isles,” seaside Turnberry is the most scenic course in the rotation, but as a resort course, it lacks some of the weathered gnarliness that makes watching this tournament so alluring.
4. Royal Birkdale » Jack Nicklaus said that courses in the British Open rotation could be ranked from north to south, which doesn’t speak highly of those in England. The exception, however, is Royal Birkdale, which traverses dramatic sand dunes.
3. Carnoustie » Read the word Carnoustie and you can almost hear the bagpipes and feel the prickly gorse. The course stands out for its severity, the “Hogan’s Alley” sixth hole and the 18th hole, crisscrossed by ditches, where Jean Van de Velde had his infamous meltdown.
2. Muirfield » The dramatic setting overlooking the Firth of Forth and a unique figure eight routing set it apart. Jack Nicklaus, winner of the 1966 Open there, was so enthralled with the course that he named one he designed near his Ohio hometown Muirfield Village.
1. St. Andrews » The oldest course in the world might also be the best, according to former Open winners Tiger Woods (twice) and Bobby Jones. It has so much history and so many distinctive features — the double greens, the Road Hole, the Hell Bunker and the 700-year-old Swilcan Bridge.
– Kevin Dunleavy
