They’re competing on a testing course at Bernardus Golf close to Hertogenbosch within the Netherlands, which hosted the Dutch Open on the DP World Tour from 2021-23. It has a Surrey heathland really feel, that may play like a seaside hyperlinks in sure areas.
However that quick working side has been compromised by the storms that lashed the format on Wednesday. “I believe it is an excellent course for matchplay,” mentioned Stark.
“There are lots of bunkers that you do not actually wish to be in. You possibly can have lots of actually lengthy irons into par-four holes as properly.”
The par threes are additionally more likely to generate loads of drama, particularly the fifteenth the place matches will attain an important stage. “It’s my favorite gap each visually and strategically,” says Bernardus membership skilled Roel Verdonschot.
“It’s constructed for drama. Gamers should determine whether or not to take the chance and assault the pin for a brief birdie alternative or play in direction of the center of the inexperienced and settle for an extended putt.
“The tee is sheltered, so the wind may be troublesome to really feel, although it’s nonetheless influencing the shot.”
And any match that goes the gap will contain an exceptionally powerful 389-yard par-four closing gap. There may be water from the left of the tee, whereas bunkers await gamers trying to play safely in direction of the proper.
And the inexperienced is tiny with a deep run-off to the left and water to the proper. “The 18th is essentially the most troublesome enjoying gap at Bernardus,” mentioned Verdonschot.
“You face a tee shot that you simply can’t afford to overlook left, however you don’t want to overlook proper both. If an in depth match reaches the 18th, there’s a superb likelihood of drama.”
Which is totally in step with Solheim Cup matches, particularly these staged in Europe.
