UBS Hong Kong Open Finishing Hole

[phillyk]

This is the finishing hole from the UBS Hong Kong Open.  I watched the last few groups finish yesterday and some itched at me about how they played this hole.  After re-watching it this morning on Golf Channel I kept asking myself, why in the world are these guys using irons off this tee?  The top 3 finishers all bogeyed this hole after using iron off the tee (I think a lot of the guys used a long iron or similar off this tee).  I know for certain that one missed the green short and couldn't get up and down, while the other hit the green but 3 putted.  I don't remember what the 3rd guy did.  Point is, why did they use iron off the tee?  From 410m (450yds), if we take an average drive of 290yd-ish, it looks open enough to be just fine for a driver.  The guys were putting long irons past the bunkers, why not just knock a 3 wood or driver down there?  I highly doubt they'd make it to the water and instead of having a mid to long iron in, they'd have an easy wedge. I guess, sure, there is a tournament on the line but it still doesn't make sense.  Am I missing something here?  Maybe the yardage is different than the what this is showing, but even if it were longer, it'd make more sense.  If it was shorter, it'd still make sense too.

[NM Golf]

I don't know other than there must be something they don't like if they miss right or left with the driver. A drive of 360 yards should stay short of the water hazard. If they all did the same thing you would think they know what they are doing, its not like they went into the round without a plan. Seems weird though.

[MarvChamp]

@phillyk  , did they hit irons about 250? How long were 2nd shots? Trying to picture strategy here. Regards, -Marv 

[phillyk]

Just now, MarvChamp said:

@phillyk  , did they hit irons about 250? How long were 2nd shots? Trying to picture strategy here. Regards, -Marv 

I know they were hitting long irons off tee and then it looked like mid to long irons on the approach.  I know I saw a lot of fairway in between besides the water.  But that's why I'm confused, I don't know what the strategy could possibly be unless they wanted to be nearly 100% sure they would be in the fairway off the tee.

[MacDutch]

The answer is in the steep downhill lie if you hit a driver or 3 wood of the tee.

[MarvChamp]

4 minutes ago, phillyk said:

But that's why I'm confused, I don't know what the strategy could possibly be unless they wanted to be nearly 100% sure they would be in the fairway off the tee.

Yeah, looks like trees infringe at 150-170, but plenty of room beyond, even in rough left or right. I can't figure it from the picture. Maybe something more in topography. Interesting! Regards, -Marv

[iacas]

11 minutes ago, MacDutch said:

The answer is in the steep downhill lie if you hit a driver or 3 wood of the tee.

That could do it.

[NM Golf]

10 minutes ago, MacDutch said:

The answer is in the steep downhill lie if you hit a driver or 3 wood of the tee.

Makes sense.