Royal Liverpool's revamped par-3 17th 'could be pretty interesting'

HOYLAKE, England – They don’t really do new at The Open Championship. At places like Royal Liverpool, which joined the championship rotation in ’97 … that’s 1897, history is measured in centuries, which makes this week’s addition so out of character.

For this year’s championship, the R&A has rerouted Hoylake with Nos. 16 and 17 from the 2014 Open played at Royal Liverpool now playing as the 15th and 16th holes, followed by a new 17th hole, a 136-yard par 3 with a rounded green and plenty of bunkers.

Although it remains to be seen how the new hole will be received when play begins, early reviews from players have been lukewarm.

“I see what they tried to do. The old 15, par 3, was the complete…