Aon Risk Reward Challenge

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions About the Hole

While this hole has yielded a birdie-or-better more than 40% of the time when playing just over 500 yards, things get really interesting when the tees are pushed up. The forward tee shortens this hole by 77 yards and is expected to improve scoring on this par 5 by nearly half-a-stroke.

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Key Decisions

Being the last par-5 on the back-nine, the 15th hole is a scoring chance for this week’s field. Players must decide whether the location of their drive has given them a good enough opportunity to go for the green and take advantage of this reachable par 5.

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Aon Insight

Shifting the tee by 77 yards increases a player’s likelihood of going for the green in two by more than 48%, with a more than 40% increase in the number of players that manage to find the putting surface with their second shot. This increase in players going for green due to a shorter approach distance leads to an expected reduction in scoring average of 0.44 strokes.

Gainbridge LPGA  About the Hole

The 16th at Boca Rio yielded a birdie (or eagle) nearly 38 percent of the time at this event in 2020. That number can vary dramatically, though, depending on which tee is in play that round. With the tee pushed up, players are expected to go for the green 79% of the time. When playing the back tee, that number dips to around 33%.

Gainbridge LPGA Key Decision

If players are confident of carrying the array of fairway bunkers on the left with their approach shot, they should go for the green, otherwise the decision to layup could be the more sensible play to avoid a very narrow approach to the green.

Gainbridge LPGA Aon Insight

Laying up short of the left fairway bunkers with the second shot can save players up to 0.39 strokes.

• 120 yards to pin from the fairway (short of bunker) = 2.92 strokes
• 100 yards to the pin from bunker = 3.31 strokes
• 50 yards to the pin from bunker = 2.96 strokes

About the LPGA Drive On Championship presented by Volvik at Golden Ocala

This scorable par-5 is modeled after 13th hole at Augusta National Golf Club. In a similar fashion, a creek protects the entire left side of the hole and meanders in front and along the right side of the green. As with the hole it is versioned from, this is a true risk reward hole with the longer hitters having an opportunity to go for the green in two.

LPGA Drive On Championship presented by Volvik at Golden Ocala Key Decisions

The key decision lies with the players that find the fairway with their drive. The long second shot to a large multi-level green is enticing, but there is the risk of landing the ball in the difficult greenside bunkers or coming up short and being in the hazard. A layup for those missing the fairway or not being as long off the tee will be the likely play.

LPGA Drive On Championship presented by Volvik at Golden Ocala Insight

In 2016, the last time the LPGA Tour played at Golden Ocala the 12th hole played as the fourth easiest on the golf course. 10% of all birdies recorded during that tournament we recorded on the 12th hole.

HSBC Women’s World Championship About the Hole

The par-5, 13th hole at Sentosa Golf Club, is a scoreable par-5 that players will try to take advantage of to keep up with the rest of the field. Players must navigate around the bunkers that line the fairway on both sides to give themselves a chance to reach the green in two shots.

HSBC Women’s World Championship Key Decisions

The key decision for players is whether to go for the green in two shots or lay up and try to get up and down. A drive in the right half of the fairway will give players the best angle into this dogleg left, but most players will have to hit a wood shot to the right-hand side of the green to have a chance of reaching in two shots.

HSBC Women’s World Championship Insight

Players who hit the fairway, 73% in 2019, give themselves the best chance of taking advantage of this hole by reaching the green in two. Hole location on the 15th hole can also determine the strategy players use, with more than half the field making birdie in 2018 when the pin was in the middle of the left-hand side of the green.

Honda LPGA Thailand About the Hole

The par-4, 15th hole at Siam Country Club, is a scoreable par-4 on the back nine, playing 265 yards when the tees are moved up. There is water short of the green, forcing players to decide whether to try and drive the green or laying up with an iron off the tee.

Honda LPGA Thailand Opportunity

Being a drivable par-4 on the back nine, players' key decision will be whether to try to hit their tee shot over the water and drive the green or laying up short of the water and hitting a wedge into the green.

Honda LPGA Thailand Insight

Playing aggressively can pay off for players, with 39 eagles made since 2007 and 133 birdies made in 2019 alone. Coming down the tournament stretch, players view the 15th hole as an excellent opportunity to lower their score to par, with a scoring average in 2019 of 3.56 strokes.

Kia Classic About the Hole 

The 16th hole at Aviara Golf Club will play in two very different manner this week. When the tees are back, this is a straight away par-4. However, a different strategy comes into play when the tees are moved up and this becomes a drivable par-4 playing 285 yards.

Kia Classic Key Decision

If the tees are in the forward position, the key decision lies in going for the green, bringing the water hazard into play, or laying-up and trusting solid wedge.

When the tees are back, the real decision-making comes into play on the second shot. Players need to hit a good approach into this deep green, so positioning off the tee is still important for players to take advantage. A mistake with the player's approach shot can result in difficulty making par. From 2016-2019, the field averaged over 7 three-putts per round.

Kia Classic Insight

When the tees are moved up, players are faced with the decision to try to drive the green, or laying up and relying on their wedge game to get biride. The agressive play is the right decision, even with the hazard and bunker to deal with, given that six of the top-10 players on the leaderboard played this hole in at least 3-under in 2019.

The aggressive play with the second shot is the right decision, even with the hazard and bunker to deal with, given that six of the top-10 players on the leaderboard played this hole in at least 3-under in 2019.

ANA Inspiration About the Hole

The par-5 11th at Mission Hills Country Club offers players a good scoring opportunity early on the back nine. The hole can play at varying lengths and when the tees are moved up, it offers a great opportunity to reach the green in two.

ANA Inspiration Key Decisions

A player's ability to go for the green in two all depends on their willingness to take the aggressive line over the trees on the right and cut the corner with their drive. The safer shot is down the left-hand side, however, this makes the second shot longer and forces players to lay up.

ANA Inspiration Insight

The last five winner have a scoring average of 4.45 on the 11th vs. the field average of 4.65, making birdie or better 45% of the time. You must take advantage of this scoring opportunity early on the back nine to contend.

LOTTE Championship About the Hole

There will be two strategies given the setup of the hole at varying distance – 526 yards and 482 yards.

526 - When playing back, this will more than likely be a three-shot hole for every player in the field. Trying to reach the green in two will bring into play a few different danger areas short of the green, so the ideal lay-up will be 60-80 yards from the green.

482 yards - Players will have a chance to get to the green in two. Most players will end up at the end of the fairway and have the opportunity to go for the  green in two.

LOTTE Championship Key Decisions

The Second Shot - The key decision comes into play when the tees are moved up and players can reach the green in two. The ideal position off the tee is down the right-hand side to have the best angle of attack into the green.  The key decision is to go for it or lay-up. From the fairway, most of the field will go for it and it comes down to executing the game plan and shot shape. Missing the fairway will leave players with a decision whether to hit a simple lay-up or go for the green.

LOTTE Championship Insight

N/A – no historical data for reference

About the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open

The 15th hole at Wilshire Country Club plays brings in two different layers of decision-making and strategy based  on the setup.

When the hole is played back at 528 yards it will force much of the field to lay-up and play this as a three-shot hole.

When the tees are moved up to 459 yards, most players will be able to reach the green in two. Historically, players' scores have ranged from eagle to double bogey.

HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open Key Decisions

528 yards - The Second Shot. The longest hole on the course gives players the chance to make birdie or better, but they will need  to navigate the 14 bunkers that line the fairway. From the back tees, only longer  players that aggressively challenge the bunkers on the right-hand side will have the opportunity to reach the green, and then must decide whether they can hold the green with a wood or lay up to their preferred distance.

459 yards - From the front tees, most players will have a chance to make birdie, given that they find the fairway with their first shot, missing the bunkers that line the fairway. With most players being able to reach the green, the strategic decision comes into play with their second shot. The green is protected by a deep creek in the front that also wraps around the back left, so players must choose whether to play aggressively at the flag, or the more conservative play towards the bunker protecting the back-right.

HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open Insight

While there is potential trouble, the 15th hole is a scoring opportunity that players will want to take advantage  of, especially when the tees are moved up. The scoring average on this hole drops from 5.02 to 4.52 when the hole plays 459 yards.

About the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open

The 15th hole at Wilshire Country Club plays brings in two different layers of decision-making and strategy based  on the setup.

When the hole is played back at 528 yards it will force much of the field to lay-up and play this as a three-shot hole.

When the tees are moved up to 459 yards, most players will be able to reach the green in two. Historically, players' scores have ranged from eagle to double bogey.

HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open Key Decisions

528 yards - The Second Shot. The longest hole on the course gives players the chance to make birdie or better, but they will need  to navigate the 14 bunkers that line the fairway. From the back tees, only longer  players that aggressively challenge the bunkers on the right-hand side will have the opportunity to reach the green, and then must decide whether they can hold the green with a wood or lay up to their preferred distance.

459 yards - From the front tees, most players will have a chance to make birdie, given that they find the fairway with their first shot, missing the bunkers that line the fairway. With most players being able to reach the green, the strategic decision comes into play with their second shot. The green is protected by a deep creek in the front that also wraps around the back left, so players must choose whether to play aggressively at the flag, or the more conservative play towards the bunker protecting the back-right.

HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open Insight

While there is potential trouble, the 15th hole is a scoring opportunity that players will want to take advantage  of, especially when the tees are moved up. The scoring average on this hole drops from 5.02 to 4.52 when the hole plays 459 yards.

Cognizant Founders Cup About the Hole

The final hole at the Cognizant Founders Cup is a reachable par-5, that will play 15 yards uphill throughout the week. Bunkers line both sides of the fairway as players get closer to the green, requiring players to drive in the fairway to have a chance at eagle.

Cognizant Founders Cup Key Decision

For players finding the fairway off the tee, almost all players will make the decision to take advantage of this scoring opportunity and go for the green in two.

For those who miss the fairway, players face a key decision of either laying up short into the bottleneck, leaving them a blind third shot or trying to carry the bunker-protected hill for a full view of the green on the final approach.

Cognizant Founders Cup Insight

N/A (New hole to the challenge)

About the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer

The 18th hole at Seaview, Bay Course, is a relatively straight par-5, which will challenge players decision-making based on their second shot approach.

ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer Key Decision

Playing 507 yards, some of the field will have the opportunity to reach the green in two shots. In 2020, 13% of the field reached the green in two, which resulted in 5 eagles, 44 birdies and 3 pars.

If given the opportunity, look for players to go for the green to try to gain on the field, which, had a scoring average of 4.53.

ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer Insight

In 2020, the top-15 finishers on the leaderboard were able to gain almost another third of a stroke on the field here with a scoring average of 4.28 and making birdie or better a staggering 70% of the time.

About the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give

The slight dogleg left 14thhole should be reachable for most of the field both days, depending on players strategy off the tee –Hazards line both sides of the fairway, making playing from the fairway vital in order to take advantage of the hole

Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Opportunity

The tee shot –(497 yards) If players hit driver, they will most likely be able to go for the green in two if they find the fairway. Water on the left, the bunker on the right, and deep rough on both sides will force some players to commit to playing  as a three-shot hole–(457 yards) When the tees are moved up, players can take the calculated risk of hitting driver, most being able to clear the water in the air. However, there is still a premium put on playing from the fairway, with most of the field being forced to lay up if they are in the rough

Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Insight

Newly renovated hole so no previous data.

KPMG Women's PGA Championship About the Hole 

The Par-5, 12th hole is a dogleg par-5, with bunkers and trees protecting the landing zone in the fairway. The downhill hole provides players an opportunity to go for the green, but they must be sure to avoid the  pond short and right of the green.

KPMG Women's PGA Championship Key Decision

If players are able to navigate the bunkers on the right and the large tree on the left, they must then decide whether they want to go for the green in two, attacking the left side of the green, or laying up short of the water.

KPMG Women's PGA Championship Insight

N/A – New Course

About the Amundi Evian Championship

This difficult par-3 than can play 150 -226 yards, depending on the tees. This hole can range from a short iron when setup at 150 to a fairway wood when playing back and the winds pick-up.

The Amundi Evian Championship Key Decision

The key decision for players is how aggressive to be off the tee. This is a hole where taking your par is not a bad decision. An overly aggressive tee shot can come back to bite players, with 112 bogeys or worse in 2019.

The Amundi Evian Championship Insight

Player should aim for the center or the green, aiming to make par (3.21 scoring average), with a birdie opportunity as a bonus. The elevation change can be amplified by the wind, so club selection and ball flight are critical.

About the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open

The 15th hole at Dumbarnie Links will play at 459 yards throughout the week, this par-5 will test players decision making and execution off the tee and with their second shot. With the tee box on the left, players will hit down the left-hand side of this split fairway and should have an opportunity to reach the green in two shots if they find the fairway.

Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open Key Decision (Second Shot)

Playing shorter than the average par-5 on the LPGA Tour, most players will have a mid to long iron with their second shot. Three bunkers short of the green will grab any slight miscued approach shot. Slopes on the green require players to carry the left bunkers in order to hold the green with a back pin. Players must take all the data and information into account when deciding what shot to hit.

Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open Insight

N/A – new hole as part of schedule; no past data

About the AIG Women's Open

While this is a shorter par-5 by today’s standards, the out of bounds down the left and bunkers in play off the tee make the 14th hole no easy task. Players must avoid the three bunkers on the left-hand side of the fairway, which gets narrower from 220 – 280 yards off the tee. Wind is typically off players’ right shoulders and should help players attempting to get home in two shots, while also requiring a more accurate tee shot.

AIG Women's Open Key Decision - The Second Shot

The spectacle bunkers 65 yards from the green force players to decide whether to try to carry the bunkers or lay-up. Two green side bunkers require players to land on the green if they want a chance at eagle. Laying up short of the spectacle bunkers will leave players with a blind third shot.

AIG Women's Open Insight

N/A; new hole to the challenge

About the Marathon Classic

The 17th hole at Highland Meadows Golf Club challenges players off the tee with a uphill, blind shot into a narrow fairway. If players can find the fairway, many will have a go at the bunker-protected green.

Marathon Classic Key Decision

Players' key decision will be made on the second shot. Knowing there are no major hazards, most players will try to go for the green or push their lay-up as close as possible to the green giving them an eagle opportunity or manageable up-and-down birdie opportunity.

Marathon Classic Insight

Distance is key on this hole, with an uphill tee shot making the hole play longer than the scorecard indicates. With a tree lined fairway as the only obstacle, players who can get their second shot close to the green will have the best chance of scoring birdie, 39% in 2019.

About the Cambia Portland Classic

The final hole at the Cambia Portland Classic is an uphill par-5, with a penalty area stretching down the entire length of the left side of the hole. The fairway slopes towards the penalty area and the fairway narrows deeper into the landing zone

Cambia Portland Classic Key Decision - Second Shot

On the second shot, players must decide on a relatively easy layup or to go for the green, navigating a narrow opening to avoid a large greenside bunker to the right of the green and the penalty area on the left. The green also slopes from front to back, requiring a high approach shot to hold the green

Cambia Portland Classic Insight

N/A (new hole to challenge)

About the Cambia Portland Classic

The final hole at the Cambia Portland Classic is an uphill par-5, with a penalty area stretching down the entire length of the left side of the hole. The fairway slopes towards the penalty area and the fairway narrows deeper into the landing zone

Cambia Portland Classic Key Decision - Second Shot

On the second shot, players must decide on a relatively easy layup or to go for the green, navigating a narrow opening to avoid a large greenside bunker to the right of the green and the penalty area on the left. The green also slopes from front to back, requiring a high approach shot to hold the green

Cambia Portland Classic Insight

N/A (new hole to challenge)

About the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G

The 14th hole at Pinnacle Country Club is a demanding par-5 that requires 3 quality shots to have a chance at birdie. Water in front of the green limit most of the field’s chance to reach the green in two, with the contours on the green making even short wedge shots difficult.

Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G Key Decision

Players key decision on the 14th hole starts with what club to hit off the tee. In order to have a chance at birdie, players need to hit three quality shots, starting with finding the fairway with their tee shot. Some players will hit driver, while others will hit a three wood or long iron, committing to playing this hole in three shots.

Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G Insight

The Aon Insight tells us that while the fourteenth yielded an under-par scoring rate of only 29% in last year’s tournament, those who registered a GIR were a collective 117-under par on the hole versus those who missed the green, resulting in a collective score of 29-over.

About the Volunteers of America Classic

The par-5, 17th hole at Old American Golf Club presents a clear scoring opportunity  coming down the back-nine. Off the tee, players must avoid missing left, with water flanking the entire side of the hole. There are also two bunkers in the center of the fairway.

Volunteers of America Classic Key Decision

The key decision players face on the 17th hole is whether to go for the green in two shots or lay-up short of the bunkers and have a full wedge into the green.

Volunteers of America Classic Insight

Players must take advantage of this hole, with 172 birdies compared to 29 bogeys  throughout the week in 2019. Being aggressive should pay off for players going for the green, as long as there is no head wind.

About the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship Hole

The 15th hole is a straightaway par-5 that is reachable in two and an ideal scoring opportunity late on the back nine. Bunkers on the left side of the fairway protects the landing area and the green, which is surrounded by five bunkers, can be difficult to navigate.

LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship Key Decisions

Playing at 479 yards, players must decide whether to go for the green on their second shot, or lay up to set up a wedge into the green. Most players' strategy will be dependent on if they are able to find the fairway (74% in 2019).

LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship Insight

Players who find the fairway should be more aggressive with their second shot. 19 eagles were made throughout the week in 2019, including 8 on Sunday, with no player recording a score worse than bogey. Aggressive players had the opportunity to gain a shot on the field, with little risk.

About the BMW Ladies Championship

The 11th hole is a straightaway par-5, with two bunkers on the left-hand side of the landing zone, and water up the right-hand side that comes into play on the second shot.

BMW Ladies Championship Key Decision

The key decision for players on the 8th hole is whether to hit driver or lay up with a wood or long iron on the left side of the fairway. Laying up short and left will give players the best chance at getting up and down

BMW Ladies Championship Insight

Overall, 43% of the field made birdie or better in 2019, with a scoring average of 4.62. Players who hit the green in regulation were a combined 95-under par compared to the 6-over par when they missed the green.

About the Pelican Women's Championship

The 14th hole at Pelican Golf Club is a 500 yard plus par 5, with an open fairway allowing players to hit driver off the tee.

Pelican Women's Championship Key Decision

For players finding the fairway off the tee, almost all players will make the decision to take advantage of this scoring opportunity and go for the green in two. If players decide to lay up, they will need hit their second shot with the distance for their approach in mind. Three bunkers in the lay-up zone will require a precise second shot to take advantage of this hole.

Pelican Women's Championship Insight

Scoring under par here is extremely valuable to one’s tournament success. Collectively, those who made the cut scored 91-under-par, while those who missed the cut only managed a combined 7-under-par on the 14th through 353 total rounds.