Hoylake lengthened and holes shuffled for British Open

LONDON, Apr 26 (Reuters) Royal Liverpool has been lengthened by 122 yards and the order of the holes slightly altered for this year's British Open (July 20-23), organisers said today.

The Hoylake course, staging its first Open since 1967, will measure 7,258 yards and the present 17th hole will be played as the first so the par-five 16th will be the last for the event.

''We have slightly rearranged the way the holes are played to set competitors a more challenging final hole,'' said Peter Dawson, chief executive of The Royal&Ancient.

''The 18th measuring 560 yards will present a birdie opportunity but as a left to right dog-leg with out of bounds ever present on the right will also be a hole for potential disaster.

''Before knowing that The Open would be returning there, Royal Liverpool had foresight in exercising a strategic review of the entire course aimed at improving the flow from green to tee while also tightening up tee-shots, bunkering and green surrounds.

''The changes to Hoylake have worked very well.'' Royal Liverpool measured 6,995 yards when Roberto de Vicenzo won The Open there 39 years ago and has been adapted in work carried out over the last six years.

REUTERS PDS HT1855