Open Championship Betting: Trading tips, hole by hole

Muirfield is one of the toughest Open venues, with no weak holes

The last Open to be held at Muirfield produced one of the most exciting in-running betting heats in Betfair's history. Paul Krishnamurty takes a look at the course and identifies the holes where it makes sense to back players, and which to lay them on...

Hole 1: Par 4, 447 yards

Jack Nicklaus has described this as the hardest opening hole in championship golf and a new fairway bunker only adds to the difficulty. Unless conditions are calm, par will always be a very good score. For that reason, it makes sense to hold any bets until your fancy looks set for a safe par, and looking forward to upcoming birdie chances.

Hole 2: Par 4, 364 yards

When the wind is behind players, there is a temptation to drive the green or at least lay up just short. Out of bounds down the left and a plethora of greenside bunkers, however, may prompt a more cautious approach off the tee. Either way, this is one of the best birdie chances on the course.  

Hole 3: Par 4, 377 yards

Another decent birdie opportunity, so long as trouble is avoided off the tee. The entrance to the green is narrow and protected, so again there will be little advantage for big-hitters trying to reach it off the tee.

Hole 4: Par 3, 226 yards

All of the short holes at Muirfield are typically perilous, as we'd expect in a major, with small targets requiring the utmost precision to avoid the deep bunkers and hollows surrounding the green. This is the longest of them and, when playing Into the wind, it could be brutal. 

Hole 5: Par 5, 559 yards

Likewise all three long holes are exciting, offering the potential of both eagles and triple-bogeys. Downwind, the green is in range, but this is a very tough driving hole, threatened by deep rough and bunkers, while a well-protected green presents a further challenge. Don't assume the big-hitters will make mincemeat of this hole.

Hole 6: Par 4, 461 yards

If you've backed a player before the so-called 'easy' holes, now is the time to lay back. This very long par-four is a candidate for the toughest hole on the course. The tee shot is particularly tough as it involves playing through crosswinds to a blind, narrow target.

Hole 7: Par 3, 184 yards

This short hole is probably one of the better chances to beat par, even if it usually played into the wind. As usual though, the target is small and tricky to hold, while deep greenside bunkers present a potentially ruinous threat.

Hole 8: Par 4, 441 yards

Another of the tough par-fours for which Muirfield is famous. Again the greatest test is the tee shot, to a narrow fairway, peppered with deep pot bunkers. Negotiate that first test and birdies become possible.

Hole 9: Par 5, 554 yards

There's always a temptation to back players before they play a par-five, but this one is no picnic and coming in the middle of a tricky run of holes, it may be better to wait. Accuracy is more important than length here, as most players will be able to reach the green in two, so long as they avoid numerous hazards.

Hole 10: Par 4, 469 yards

The back-nine begins with another tough par-four. Like so many Muirfield holes, the principal challenge is finding a narrow fairway and avoiding ruinous pot bunkers. This is the end of a dangerous run of holes, so get ready to back your fancies when no worse than par is assured.

Hole 11: Par 4, 387 yards

Now for a good birdie opportunity at what could be a candidate for the easiest hole on the course. Nevertheless as always, there are severe penalties for anyone missing a small, contoured green, surrounded by bunkers.

Hole 12: Par 4,379 yards

Again, this should rank as one of the easier holes, because the challenge off the tee is relatively straightforward. Like the 11th, the key will be an accurate approach shot, as the difference between hitting and missing this narrow green could easily be two shots. 

Hole 13: Par 3, 190 yards

This is still a time to be holding on to any 'Back' positions because, while the 13th is hardly a straightforward birdie, there will be a few and compared to the rest of the course, relatively few bogies. Look to switch direction afterwards and start laying again though, because two tough par-fours await.

Hole 14: Par 4, 475 yards

In terms of length, this is the toughest hole on the course because it invariably plays into the wind. Even if calm, few players will want to drive it 300 yards because the fairway narrows around that point, so most will face a challenging, long approach shot.

Hole 15: Par 4, 448 yards

This hole has been lengthened by 30 yards since the 2002 renewal, adding to the difficulty of a hole peppered with penal bunkers. Again, par will be an excellent score.

Hole 16: Par 3, 186 yards

In 2002, we saw tremendous drama down the closing stretch, precisely because of holes like this where a two-shot swing is highly plausible. With pinpoint accuracy, birdies are not out of the question here, but the bunkers will claim several victims too.

Hole 17: Par 5, 575 yards

There is precious little advantage for big-hitters around Muirfield, but the 17th may prove the exception. The fairway looks easier to hit than most and, depending on the wind, not everyone will be able to reach the green in two. As we saw in 2002, this is the ideal penultimate hole, offering up both eagles and double-bogeys.

Hole 18: Par 4, 470 yards

Finally, another extremely tough, long par-four, especially into the wind. If you're holding a good position after backing a player mid-round, then the best plan may be to lay back and take all the risk out, because par is always a very good score on this hole.