The Loop

Drivable par 4s at the Women's Open

July 12, 2009

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The drivable par 4 is again center stage at Saucon Valley CC for the final round of the U.S. Women's Open.

Not only will the 10th hole tempt players to have a go at the green - which Paula Creamer tried Saturday en route to a disastrous triple-bogey 7 - but No. 15 also has been shortened to create the possibility.

For the final round the 10th hole measures 234 yards to the front edge of the putting surface, 242 yards to the cup on the front-left side of the green. No. 15 is 239 yards to the front, 244 yards to the hole location on a front knob. A left to right crosswind could hinder golfers' attempts to drive the green.

The course's overall yardage for the final round is 6,337 yards, approximately 375 yards shorter than the yardage for the first two rounds, and 149 yards less than the third-round setup. A total of 1.2 inches of rain fell overnight in the Bethlehem area, but the course handled the precipitation well.

-- Bill Fields