17 at Kiawah: The ultimate test of nerve 

The closing stretch of holes over the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is one that will test the best players in the world, but one specific hole stands out as particularly decisive: The 223-yard par three 17th.

Played over water that guards the green both short and right, the Pete Dye design presents a challenge that can be even tougher into wind – and it’s one that defending champion Collin Morikawa thinks could be a deciding factor in determining a winner on Sunday.

“That's a huge deciding hole,” Morikawa said of the 17th.

“There's nowhere to bail. I think when I played that hole during media day, it was straight downwind and I was like, I don't know how we're going to play this downwind or into the wind. I wish they built like a full stadium and you wouldn't have any wind.

“But it's going to be a huge hole because no matter where you put the tees you still might be hitting 7-iron, 6-iron and there's nowhere to bail. Usually, you have somewhere just to kind of play away from the hazard, but it's hard to play short left because you still have water, you still have wind, and you only have about 15, 20 yards. Are you just playing center of the green? Are you playing at the bunker? It all depends on the wind.

“I think coming down on Sunday, even on Saturday, how people are going to have momentum is those last couple holes are going to be huge. I'll take four 3s right now and get away with that because pars are going to be your friend those last couple holes.

“But I look forward to it. I think you want that challenge. You want it to be hard. You don't want it to be unfair, but you want it to be tough because that kind of really makes you focus a little more and it really shows what a good shot will be like.”

Adam Scott, who played the US PGA Championship when it was last held at Kiawah Island in 2012, said he also expected the long par three to be a deciding factor.

“I mean, 17 is the ultimate test of nerve really,” said Scott.

“It doesn't matter when you're playing it. If it's three weeks ago or this Sunday coming down the stretch, it's a long par three over water.

“I don't know how holes get more difficult than that, and now at the moment it's straight into the wind, and I've been hitting four irons and seven woods and briefly discussed hitting a soft three wood in to see how that feels.

“I think if it is into the wind you're going to see guys wearing out the left side, whatever is up there. There are some bunkers and then I think we could see guys going even further left. It's not great, but it's a lot better than the water. It could be a decider for the whole event this week.”

Yet Jon Rahm, who is searching for his first Major this week, said it’s still a challenge that he’s looking forward to. On Tuesday, he described it as both challenging and wonderful after he played a long iron into the green during his practice round.

“Well, I smoked a 2-iron yesterday to just carry it over the middle of the green over the water,” he said.

“Extremely difficult. That's all I can say. Any time you have 230 yards into the wind over water into a narrow target, it's just not easy. I'm hoping we don't play it back there every day, otherwise it's going to be a challenging week. But it's a beautiful hole. It's very challenging.

“I think it's a wonderful hole. The whole golf course is a wonderful golf course. Again, it rewards good shots. If you don't hit a good one you're going to have to struggle for a par. Sometimes a bogey might be the best you can do.”

And while it’s definitely a daunting prospect, that’s not to say that there won’t be some moments of magic in there too.

During his practice round on Monday Wyndham Clark produced just that, making a hole in one.