Skip to content

PGA Championship: A look at previous monster par 4s at the majors

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 08:  (L-R) Justin Rose and James Hahn walk up the 18th fairway during the final round of the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hol
Image: The opening few holes at Quail Hollow have been redesigned since last year

The opening hole of the redesigned Quail Hollow at this week's PGA Championship is the subject of much conversation among the players.

The first, which now measures at a mighty 524 yards, is one of three new holes which were redesigned specifically for the hosting of this week's major following the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship in a bid to compete with the biggest hitters in the game.

We take a look at five other monster par 4s which have tested the world's best golfers at the majors.

Chambers Bay: Par 4 14th - 546 yards

Chambers Bay, US Open
Image: Chambers Bay wasn't a popular major venue with several players

The 14th at Chambers Bay is the longest par 4 in US Open history. The hole played downhill with sand lining the left-hand side of the hole, with the fairway sloping from right to left. To add insult to the distance the putting greens were described as "broccoli" by Henrik Stenson.

Bethpage: Par 4 7th - 525 yards

Image: Bethpage had a par four which measured longer than a par five

The longest par 4, the 525-yard seventh, measured a few strides more than the shortest par 5, the 517-yard fourth during the 2009 US Open. Hosted the 2009 US Open, where Lucas Glover secured a shock victory, and large oak trees protected the corner of the dogleg right.

Congressional: Par 4 18th - 523 yards

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks onto the eightenth green before winning the 111th US Open by eight strokes over Jason Day with a record 268 at Congr
Image: Rory McIlroy stormed to victory at the 2011 US Open

Congressional hosted the 2011 US Open and was a challenging ending to a major championship. From the tee box players were faced by water short to the left and long left. Even if you managed to fire away a lengthy drive most players were left with a daunting 200-yard second shot from a downhill lie to a tight uninviting green.

It was no surprise that a big-hitter, Rory McIlroy, proved victorious.

Also See:

Merion: Par 4 18th - 521 yards

Merion
Image: Merion finished with a testing 521 yard par four

From the tee, players weren't impacted by fairway bunkers but knew that distance was pivotal in putting them in position for hitting the green in two. Three greenside bunkers made sure players needed to be pin-point accurate with their long iron approach shots.

Justin Rose hit a fantastic four-iron from the fairway, under intense pressure, to help him secure his first major title and hold off Phil Mickelson's challenge.

PGA Championship: Latest leaderboard
PGA Championship: Latest leaderboard

Latest leaderboard for the first round of the 99th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, North Carolina.

Whistling Straights: Par 4 15th - 518 yards

Considered to be the start of one of the most demanding four-hole stretches in major golf and most recently hosted the 2015 PGA Championship.

The headache at the 15th started at the tee box and didn't end until you holed your putt. Accuracy off the tee was paramount as players needed as much control and forgiveness with their approach shots. The putting green at the "Grand Strand" sloped from left to right and was heavily guarded by bunkers.

Around Sky