What you can learn about match play from these three key holes

The 2024 Bridges Cup is just around the corner in South Korea, with elite mid-amateur golfers teeing off at Haesley Nine Bridges.

While the US team has won the first two parts of the Ryder Cup tournament, could the Internationals tip things in their favor this year? We’ll have to see which players step up in the most nerve-wracking moments.

Because the pressure is often highest on the most challenging holes, we commissioned Haesley Nine Bridges expert Simon Holmes to explain the three most important holes in this year’s competition.

These course management tips can help you when playing any golf course, but if you ever play Haesley Nine Bridges they will definitely come in handy.

“I just think [Haesley] is a great venue for this type of elite match play,” says Holmes. “If you have stroke play, you can kind of protect it because you can make the layup. But when your opponent hits a great shot in match play, you have to stand up and counter it. So if you are not in shape or not ready, we will see it immediately and you will lose a point.”

The 3 most important holes at the Bridges Cup 2024

“The interesting thing about match play events like this is that it’s essentially golf’s version of the 100 meters,” says Holmes, comparing it to a sprint. “The first six holes are the most important, as the Ryder Cup statistics show. If you’re up after six holes, you win almost 67 percent of the time.”

Which three holes will be the most critical in this year’s Bridges Cup? Holmes lists his picks below.

No. 6 – Par-3, 205 yards

“It probably only gets juicy before the 6th hole,” says Holmes. “It has a strange shape of green. So if the mark tempts you and you miss it, you will definitely score a 4. “So if you are the player who shoots first and makes a great shot, then you are putting a lot of pressure on your opponents.”

No. 15 – Par-4, 355 yards

“NO. “15 is, man, it’s just hard,” says Holmes. “It’s set over a hill. I suppose you could get greedy and try to get there [off the tee]but a lot of guys will leave themselves about 120 yards away [instead of risking it with the driver]. But the guy who tries will undoubtedly have an advantage.”

No. 18 – Par-4, 451 yards

“There are so many opportunities to get into trouble at No. 18 because you can get really claustrophobic. There’s water all the way down the left side and the hole all the way to the green – and the whole left side of the green is within a foot of water,” Holmes says. “I just think that because of the way the pitch is designed we will really bring out the emotions when the players get nervous as there is no way to hide the fear. You will be exposed. If something doesn’t work, we’ll see it on this hole.”

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Publisher