[Kim Hyun-jun's Theme Lesson] McIlroy's 'Bunker Shot Eagle'... "How to Escape the Hangari Bunker?"

The higher the bunker lip, place the ball to the left and open the face as much as possible to increase trajectory, and make the downswing powerful

Rory McIlroy is executing a bunker shot on the 10th hole during the 3rd round of the 150th Open.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] The 'explosion shot'.

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) made a picture-perfect bunker shot eagle on the 10th hole (par 4) during the third round of the 2022 season's final major, The Open, held on the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland (par 72, 7,313 yards) on the 17th. His tee shot flew an impressive 335 yards, and the 27-yard greenside bunker shot went straight into the hole. This is the unique 'jar bunker escape method' of the Links Course, where "shepherds took shelter from the sea breeze 900 years ago."

The key to the greenside bunker shot is where you strike behind the ball. If you make direct contact, you get a 'home run shot' that flies well over the green, but if you hit too far behind, you risk not even getting out of the bunker. The correct spot is one inch behind the ball. The bounce of the sand wedge (the thick part at the back of the face) digs into the sand and gently lifts the ball. The distance can be adjusted naturally by the swing size, whether a full shot or a half shot.

It is noteworthy that professional players prefer bunkers over tough and deep roughs. This means that once you master the basics, it is actually easier. First, bury both feet deeply in the sand to stabilize your stance. If the pin is at 12 o'clock, position your legs at 11 o'clock and slightly open the face toward 1 o'clock. During the backswing, immediately cock your wrists so that the club and left arm form a 'V'. Head-up during the swing is forbidden; keep your eyes fixed until the end.

If the bunker lip is very high, place the ball more to the left than usual and open the face as much as possible. If you have a 60-degree or 64-degree wedge, choose it without hesitation. Although it is a small shot, a powerful downswing, the so-called 'explosion shot', is necessary. Only then can you cleanly lift the ball. For the 'egg fry' shot, close the face. The sole of the wedge scrapes the sand behind the ball. The wedge acts like a shovel.

Bunkers also have slopes. A downhill slope with the left side of the ball lower is especially difficult to maintain balance and can cause you to stand up abruptly at impact. If the shot is too difficult, detour around or behind the bunker to escape to the fairway first. The last option is to make direct contact. Choose a club like a 60-degree wedge that does not produce much distance and grip it short; even with a full swing, the ball will only travel 40 to 50 yards. Use this as a reference for distance control.

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