What To Know About Hole 16 at Royal Portrush

The 153rd Open Championship makes its much-anticipated return to Royal Portrush, the site of Shane Lowry’s unforgettable triumph in 2019. Perched along Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline, this storied links course weaves through dramatic sand dunes and offers sweeping views of the Atlantic—making it one of the most breathtaking venues in golf.

But amid all the beauty and tradition, one hole continues to loom large: the par-3 16th, better known as Calamity Corner. Like other famous Open Championship holes such as the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon or St. Andrews’ infamous Road Hole, Calamity Corner carries a personality all its own. It’s a hole that doesn’t just test your swing—it tests your nerve.

This famous hole offers a different challenge as the aforementioned postage stamp and it starts with distance. At as far back as 240 yards, a longer club will need to be used into what is a smaller target for that amount of land to cover.

“Depending on wind direction, you might need a 3-iron. I’ve hit a driver here before. A brutal hole.” said Norther Irishman Graeme McDowell.

As the 3rd most difficult hole in the 2019 Open Championship, it’s elevation that proves to be one of the biggest factors. Sitting at the highest point on the course, there is little protection from the wind that blows off the Atlantic coast.

Still, it’s the dreaded miss to the right that proves most punishing. A wayward tee shot in that direction can tumble into a deep ravine—nearly 100 feet below the green—where disaster lurks in the form of blind recoveries and brutal lies. It’s the kind of spot where par feels more like fantasy than possibility. Even experienced pros can fall victim. Earlier in the week, Golf Channel’s Johnson Wagner attempted to demonstrate just how treacherous the right side can be—and promptly launched his ball into the grandstands. After a sheepish apology to the gallery, Wagner acknowledged the true difficulty of the shot.

A touch of mercy does exist however, just left of the green. There, a swale known as Bobby Locke’s Hollow offers a bailout option for those steering clear of the ravine. It’s named after the legendary South African, who famously played his tee shot into the hollow all four days during the 1951 Open. Each time, the ball funneled into the collection area below, leaving him with tricky up-and-downs from awkward lies. Whether it’s a tight patch of turf or a nasty tangle of rough, the bounce you get is a roll of the dice.

But Locke, ever the magician around the greens, managed to save par each day. So yes—it can be done. Just don’t count on doing it four times in a row.

With just 41% of players hitting the green in regulation during the 2019 Open, the 16th at Portrush is more than just a scenic par 3—it’s a potential turning point. As contenders battle down the stretch, Calamity Corner could be the difference between lifting the Claret Jug or watching it slip away.

One of the most iconic holes in the Open rota, it promises plenty of drama—and no shortage of entertainment—for fans tuning in this week

Jeff Goudy is a golf writer and co-founder of Break80 Golf LLC. He can be found on social media platforms @Break80_Golf