Honda Classic Decisive Moment: "How to Tackle the Bear Trap?"

PGA National Golf Course Holes 15-17 Notorious for Difficulty: "76% of Players Over the Past 13 Years Hit at Least One Water Hazard"

At the 15th hole of PGA National, the battleground of the Honda Classic, there is a large bear statue along with a sign that reads, "You are now entering the Bear Trap."

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Bear Trap."

The name itself sounds intimidating. It means 'bear trap.' It is the nickname given to the final challenging stretch of holes 15 to 17 at the PGA National Golf Club (par 70, 7,125 yards) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the battleground for the Honda Classic (total prize money $6.8 million) starting on the night of the 27th (Korean time). At the 15th hole (par 3), there is even a large bear statue along with a friendly(?) sign that reads, "You have now entered the Bear Trap."

Jack Nicklaus (USA) created it during the 2001 course renovation, modeling it after the 'Amen Corner' of holes 11 to 13 at Augusta National, where the Masters is held. Along with the 'Snake Pit' at holes 16 to 18 of Innisbrook (par 71, 7,340 yards), the venue for the Valspar Championship in March, and the 'Green Mile' at holes 16 to 18 of Quail Hollow (par 71, 7,554 yards), the stage for the Wells Fargo Championship in May, it is considered one of the three most difficult sections.

The Bear Trap consists of a 'par 3 - par 4 - par 3' sequence. The key feature is the 'fearsome water hazard.' Among the 543 players who have competed over 13 years since 2007, 415 players, or 76%, have dropped at least one ball into the water. Gavin Coles (USA) famously sank four balls consecutively in the water on the 15th hole during the third round in 2007, recording an 11-stroke 8-over-par, an unusual 'Octuple Bogey.' This is why there is a saying that "you can win just by making par."

The 17th hole at PGA National, the battleground of the Honda Classic, curves almost in a semicircle to the right.

The 15th hole (179 yards) requires the tee shot to accurately cross the water hazard and land on a small green. Since the wind usually blows to the right, aiming slightly left is necessary. A bunker yawns open to the left of the green. It becomes even more difficult if the pin is placed on the right rear side of the green. Keith Mitchell (USA) made a dramatic birdie on this hole on the final day last year to seize momentum and secured his first career victory with a birdie on the last 18th hole (par 5).

The 16th hole (par 4, 434 yards) is considered the most difficult par 4 hole on the PGA Tour. It is a dogleg right with a sharp 90-degree turn, and a large lake lies to the right. Naturally, the tee shot is crucial. The fairway slopes downward to the right. The second shot is from 220 yards, and again, a thorny path crossing water awaits. If the ball strays off the fairway, it costs at least one stroke, and if it lands in the water, it leads to a double bogey or worse, a critical blow.

The 17th hole (par 3, 190 yards) curves almost in a semicircle to the right. A shot that falls short lands in the water hazard, and a shot that goes long ends up in a bunker. The overall difficulty of these three holes is more than one stroke higher than the average score. This means losing one stroke per day, totaling four strokes over four days. The 'Returned Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) was also caught by the Bear Trap in 2018. He recorded a total of 8-over-par with one bogey on the first day, one birdie and two bogeys including a double bogey on the second day, two bogeys on the third day, and one bogey and one double bogey on the final day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.