The 17th hole at The Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, is one of the unique holes in golf. Not only is the tee shot played over the Old Course Hotel, but just steps from the putting surface is a road that is in play.
Just ask Xander Schauffele, who, after flying a wedge over the green, had to play from the gravel surface.
Protecting the front left of the 17th green is a pot bunker, dubbed the “Road Hole bunker.” Many balls find their way into the trap, as angulations force all stray shots into the bottom.
During Thursday’s first round of the 150th Open Championship, Si Woo Kim’s second shot found the Road Hole bunker, finishing right up against the lip. When he tried to pitch out sideways, the ball failed to get out and it came to rest once again in the sand.
150th Open Championship: Leaderboard
Then he did the improbable.
Kim then made par at the last and signed for an opening 3-under 69.