4th (Flowering Crab Apple)

• 240 yards, par three
• 2023 average: 3.217 (rank 5)

The back tee – not always used – turns it into a beast, with the green sloping from back to front. Phil Mickelson took six in the final round in 2012 and finished two shots outside the play-off. Jeff Sluman’s ace in 1992 remains the only hole-in-one and it always represents a challenge, the only recent exception being under soft conditions in November 2020.

5th (Magnolia)

• 495 yards, par four
• 2023 average: 4.329 (rank 1)

Jack Nicklaus twice holed his second shot in 1995 and Colin Montgomerie did it in 2000, but it is another devilishly difficult green. To clear the fairway bunkers requires a 315-yard carry and the hole was lengthened by 40 yards for 2019. Regularly the hardest or next-hardest hole, with that bunker almost a shot penalty, and scrambling very difficult.

6th (Juniper)

• 180 yards, par three
• 2023 average: 3.101 (rank 10)

From a high tee to a green with a huge slope in it. Five holes-in-one – including Jamie Donaldson in 2013 – but Jose Maria Olazabal took seven in 1991 and lost by one to Ian Woosnam. Has played under-par once and we'll see the hole scared when the pin is front-left, but back-right makes it a real test of precision.

7th (Pampas)

• 450 yards, par four
• 2023 average: 4.209 (rank 6)

What used to be a real birdie chance has been lengthened by 35-40 yards, while trees were also added and the putting surface reshaped. A very narrow fairway and more bunkers – five – around the green than any other hole, but expect plenty of birdies again when the pin is at the front. Among the par-fours, only holes three and nine produce more of them.

8th (Yellow Jasmine)

• 570 yards, par five
• 2023 average: 4.635 (rank 17)

The bunker on the right, about 300 yards out, pushes players left and from there it is harder to find the green in two up the steep hill. Still a good birdie chance and Bruce Devlin made an albatross in 1967. Yet to play over-par and providing the bunker is avoided, eagle opportunities await.

9th (Carolina Cherry)

• 460 yards, par four
• 2023 average: 4.079 (rank 11)

The tee was pushed back 30 yards in 2002. The raised green, with two bunkers on the left, tilts sharply from the back and anything rolling off the front can continue down for 50-60 yards. Telling that the softer 2020 renewal saw it play easier as players could control their spin, which is key.