The air feels heavier here, as if the course itself is testing your resolve. Standing on the tee of the 17th at Bethpage Black, you face a par-3 that is both beauty and beast. The green is perched like a fortress, daring you to challenge its defenses.

With the Mountains of Mourne as a stunning backdrop, the 9th at Royal County Down features a blind tee shot over a ridge, requiring both confidence and accuracy. The fairway winds through towering dunes, leading to a well-protected green surrounded by deep bunkers and natural undulations.