Spieth predicts 'carnage' at new 17th if wind blows

HOYLAKE: Royal Liverpool's fearsome-looking new 17th hole was relatively docile during Thursday's first round of The Open but the par-three is likely to bare its teeth before Sunday's conclusion.

At 136 yards it is the shortest and most picturesque hole on the course, a gentle swing of a pitching wedge for professionals, but it has some formidable armour.

The raised 'infinity green' with the Dee Estuary and Wales as its backdrop is surrounded by deep and vertical-faced bunkers, with huge fall off areas all around it.

Miss the putting surface or roll off the back into dunes and it could spell serious trouble, as a handful of the field discovered on Thursday when the course was receptive in light breezes and pleasant sunshine.

With the late rounds still to complete, 22 bogeys, four double bogeys and three triple bogeys, including one for former Open winner Zach Johnson, had Little Eye, as the hole is nicknamed, ranked as the eighth-hardest.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate, however, and American former Open champion Jordan Spieth warns things could get a little interesting.

"Today I felt like I could just flight something in, which was nice," Spieth, who made a safe par during his two-under 69, like the majority of others, told reporters.

"If the wind picks up tomorrow or changes direction, and it's blowing harder and into us, it could become carnage.

"But it's fair. You have a big enough area to hit. You have to hit a really nice shot. If you do, you have a good look at birdie, and if you don't you have a difficult par."

Short par-three holes are a magnet for fans at major championships, which is one reason the Royal Liverpool club re-configured the course from the 2014 and 2006 editions won by Rory McIlroy and Tiger