The Open 2014: What Are The Most Difficult Holes At Hoylake?

Justin Rose heads into The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool installed as the bookies' favourite to land the famous Claret Jug.

Rose is aiming at becoming the first Englishman to win The Open since Sir Nick Faldo did in 1992 and the first European to do so since Darren Clarke three years ago.

The 2013 US Open winner will not only face a stiff chasing pack including hotly tipped Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy at Hoylake but will also have to contend with one of the most challenging major courses in the world.

Hoylake plays 7,312 yards - 54 yards longer than in 2006, when it last hosted the Open - with a par of 72.

Five holes have been surrounded with swales and players whose errant tee shots end up off the fairway will have to navigate their way out of long rough and avoid one of the courses 82 bunkers.

IBTimes UK looks at five of Hoylake's most challenging holes

Hole 1, 458 yards, Par 4

A tricky start awaits the field at Hoylake for the 143rd British Open. Named the Royal after the hotel that used to be the clubhouse, the heavily contoured green is surrounded by newly installed bunkers. The strength of the wind will dictate club selection as will players' confidence at avoiding two fairway bunkers. Hopefuls will be looking to pick up a par and move onto the second.

Hole 5, 528 yards, Par 5

The first of Hoylake's four par fives and a chance to lay down a marker early on. This hole yielded 23 eagles and 205 birdies during the 2006 Open but it comes with huge risks. Big hitters will aim to shape their tee shot from right-to-left, leaving an iron shot to the green, while a new bunker at 310 yards on the right will no doubt collect countless balls over the four days if shots fail to fade it round enough. In his four rounds in 2006, Open winner Tiger Woods birdied the hole three times and eagled it once.

Hole 12, 447 yards, Par 4

This was the most challenging hole on the course during the 2006 Open, costing the field 138 bogeys and 15 double bogeys. Rough on the left means players must be careful not to over hit their tee shots, while a deft touch is required around a green with steep run-offs on the left and right. Struggle off the tee or fluff an approach shot and the best someone can walk away with is a par.

Hole 14, 454 yards, Par 4

This was the second most challenging hole on the course during the 2006 Open. Bunkers on the left and right leave a narrow fairway to aim for, but aggresive players will look to take the sand and the corner out of play altogether. Bubba Watson has been talking about dusting off his two-iron for the Open, following in the footsteps of Woods, who did precisely that off the tee when he last won at Royal Liverpool.

Hole 17, 458 yards, Par 4

A relatively straight hole that is made difficult by wind and protective bunkers around the green. Position off the tee is vital and as an approach to the two-tiered green can become increasingly difficult following wayward shots. This was the fourth hardest hole back in 2006 that appears to have an enormous green, but it is getting there that is the problem.