COLIN MONTGOMERIE grew up at Troon.

Here the Ryder Cup hero reveals the course’s killer holes — starting with the infamous Postage Stamp.

HOLE: 8, PAR: 3, YARDS: 123

"THE shortest hole in Major championship golf. It can play just 99 yards but underestimate it at your peril.

At around 120 yards, it would be a simple wedge shot in normal circumstances.

"But in one of the practice rounds, with the wind whipping in my face, it was a full six iron. That guesswork over club selection is what makes it such a dangerous hole.

"There is absolutely no bale-out area. Anywhere left of the green is no-go and that big bunker on the right can be devilishly difficult to get out of. It’s not called the Coffin Bunker for nothing."

THE MIND GAMES

"IT’S one hole you think about. It’s always in the back of your mind during the first seven holes.

"The previous holes are pretty much downwind. When you are playing seven, you look across to the right and notice where the pin is. You’re already playing that shot in your mind.

"If the flag is at the back, you cannot go near it. If it’s at the front, you bail out left, but not too far.

"And it does prove that the one hole you talk about — with all these great par fours on the back nine — is about a quarter of that length.

"The great par threes in the world are Pebble Beach’s 7th, the 12th at Augusta, and the 8th at Royal Troon — and not one is over 155 yards.

"It’s amazing how you can design a course like Troon in the 1870s, and it stands the test of time.

"You have a hole that is nearly 150 years old and can still generate so much drama. Fantastic."

Infographic by online golf retailer www.golfbidder.co.uk

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MONTY'S VIEW

"EVEN though I grew up in Troon, I did not play the Old Course until I was 18. Juniors were not allowed to play there, full stop.

"But I’m 53 now, so I’ve got 35 years of history there. I’ve had the occasional birdie, been close to a hole-in-one, and made countless pars.

"Sadly, I’ve had many bogeys, double-bogeys, even the occasional sixes and sevens. On paper, you think of it as a birdie chance. But it’s a potential card-wrecker.

"Just ask Tiger Woods. He took a six here in 1997. When Greg Norman shot his course-record 64 in 1979, it was the only hole where he made bogey.

"I hope experience counts. Gene Sarazen had a hole-in-one here in 1973, aged 71, then birdied it by holing a bunker shot on day two. Three-under for the Postage Stamp without using a putter. Historic!"

MONTY'S OTHER KILLER HOLES

HOLE: 6, PAR: 5, YARDS: 601

'THIS was the longest hole on the Open rota until they put a new tee in another post code on the 14th at St Andrews but it never plays as long as you’d expect.

The prevailing wind is following and, with a decent run on your drive, most players can go for the green in two...I’m not sure if that still includes me these days!

The fairway bunkers are extremely treacherous and the green is a pretty narrow target.

But to have any sort of chance you need to birdie the two early par fives — this one and the fourth — because you must make your score early at Troon.'

HOLE: 18, PAR: 4, YARDS: 458

"FORGIVE the bluntness but at almost 460 yards into the wind, with bunkers everywhere and out of bounds at the back of the green, 18 is a hell of a finishing hole.

"It can break your heart, like it did to Greg Norman during the 1989 play-off. He picked up after going in two bunkers and then out of bounds.

"And all that after he shot a quite brilliant 64 to tie the lead.

"The first bunker Norman went in was about 300 yards from the tee — and he got there with an iron.

"At the same time, the eventual winner, Mark Calcavecchia birdied 18 when he was playing it as his 72nd hole. Then he did the same in the play-off. Go figure. It’s a hole where any number’s possible.

"And at almost 40 yards from front to back, this is the longest green on the course.

"So three-putts are always a very real possibility here.

"You could never feel safe standing on the tee with a one-shot lead.

"And at the same time, if you are already in the clubhouse one ahead of the field, you will be holding your breath because two good shots can set up a birdie.'

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