Sir Nick Faldo Weighs in on Royal Troon’s Challenge at The Open

Sir Nick Faldo Weighs in on Royal Troon’s Challenge at The Open

During a Sky Sports interview reflecting on the events of the week, Sir Nick Faldo expressed his admiration for how Royal Troon was set up for The Open. Faldo lauded the organisers, emphasizing the brilliance and fairness of the course.

 

“I think Troon and the R&A did a brilliant job setting up the golf course. It was tough and it was fair,” Faldo remarked.

 

He added, “I cannot believe that eighth hole, the carnage on that, a little 100 yarder. But this is a really special golf course. I think Troon has really come alive and I bet we look forward to coming back to this wonderful links.”

 

### The Challenge of Winning Majors

 

While some players voiced concerns about the course’s difficulty, Faldo’s stance underscores the essence of major tournaments: they should be challenging. Too often, we see PGA players navigating U.S. courses with ease, posting scores of 25 under par or better.

 

Royal Troon was never going to allow such easy rounds, and as Faldo pointed out, the organisers succeeded in crafting a demanding yet fair test. This level of difficulty not only highlights the skill of the players but also enhances the spectator experience.

 

### Potential for a ‘Links Swing’

 

The idea of introducing a ‘Links Swing,’ where a month of golf is played across UK courses, has been floated. Such an addition could invigorate the tour, offering a refreshing and challenging change for both players and fans. With courses like Royal Troon showcasing the raw beauty and difficulty of links golf, more events like this could draw greater attention to the sport.