ST. ANDREWS – Oct. 14, 2004 – In readiness for the Open Championship 2005, the Road Hole Bunker, the notorious bunker on the most famous hole in world golf, the 17th hole of the Old Course, is being made more difficult for golfers to avoid.

Following discussion with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), it has been agreed that there will be no change to the height or steepness of the bunker face. The key change requested by the R&A is to extend the bunker to the west into a more oval shape so that it will gather golf balls landing nearby more effectively.

"We rebuild most of the Old Course bunkers before an Open Championship as a matter of routine. The Road Hole Bunker will retain its fearsome reputation and prove even more of a challenge to the world's best golfers," said Gordon Moir, Links Superintendent, St Andrews Links Trust.

Around 90 bunkers on the 600-year-old course are being rebuilt for the Open Championship, which is returning to St Andrews for the 27th time. Work is starting on the Road Hole Bunker immediately after the Dunhill Links Championship and it will be out of play until Spring 2005.

Issued by Carolyne Nurse, Communications Manager, St Andrews Links Trust, Pilmour House, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SF. Tel 01334 466666/Fax 01334 479555.