New 17th tee at the Old Course
Cambo has just shot 83 and 77 in a Middle East event to finish no less than 27 shots behind one of his playing partners. No wonder he muses out loud whether there are two Michael Campbells. Straddling the two Opens on either side of the Atlantic
in 2014 will be major championship venues familiar to anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of golf. In April it will be Augusta, of course, just three hours’ drive from Pinehurst, hosting its familiar rite of Spring, the Masters. Then in the August the golfing circus will pitch its tent
in horse racing country, for the U.S PGA Championship at Valhalla. This Jack Nicklaus course couldn’t be more of a contrast to the other three major venues, being purpose-built for the stadium course era. It hosted a wonderful U.S. PGA in 2000 when Woods
beat Bob May in a play-off for the third leg of what would prove to be an historic sequence of four major victories in a row. It hosted an even better Ryder Cup in 2008, where the
Gleneagles
unabashed enthusiasm of the fans recalled the atmosphere to be found here at Hoylake during the 2006 Open. American captain Paul Azinger orchestrated a thrilling triumph over Europe, thereby bringing to an end a run of three successive victories for the visitors. It being an even-numbered year, Hoylake’s big season back
in the limelight will also feature a Ryder Cup, with the old trophy travelling north to Scotland for only the second time. Once more it will be a Nicklaus venue, as the Monarch’s course at Gleneagles takes centre stage. A pleasing mix of the old and new, therefore, will attract
our attention in 2014. From England’s most historic course to a place in Scotland built with the Ryder Cup in mind. From two of America’s most storied venues to a modern course on a fast track with a reasonable history of its own. Looks like another year to savour to me.
Derek Lawrenson is golf correspondent of the Daily Mail.
Michael Campbell at Hoylake
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Valhalla
Valhalla Course Plan
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