Video: Royal Portrush's First And Second Holes

To get up to speed on Royal Portush, seen briefly in the 2012 Irish Open and before that, the 1951 Open, the options for flyovers are limited. Without the official Open site posting anything, we at least have this lovely set on Vimeo to check out. They can’t be embedded but I know you can handle clicking the link!

With out of bounds down the right and fairway bunkers, expect players to start with a lot of hybrids and irons on the 416-yard first. The green is elevated with a nice, steep fall-off to add interest. This hole was originally the third hole in H.S. Colt’s renovation of the course but became the first when Portrush’s clubhouse moved closer to today’s course.

The 572-yard second hole plays out in the same direction as the opener before bending left. Cross bunkers and tall, pinching dunes will annoy those who had to wedge out but otherwise this should be a great opportunity for birdie. The bunkerless green is slightly elevated and benched in between dune and a short grass fall off that will lure players to go for the green in two. But a slight miss will leave a tough recovery.