2008 US PGA Championship Golf CourseA view of the first green at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the site of the 2004 Ryder Cup Matches

The First 9 Holes

When the South Course of Oakland Hills was formally opened in 1918, it already enjoyed a certain degree of prestige. After all, the course was designed by the foremost golf course architect of his day - Donald Ross and had engaged US Open champion Walter Hagen as its first professional.

Oakland Hills' South Course is now world-renowned and is consistently picked among the top ten tests of golf in the United States and, indeed, the world. Its reputation is well earned.

Read the basic descriptions of the first nine holes at Oakland Hills to get an idea of the challenges faced by top players at the 2008 US PGA Championship. More detailed information provided by Oakland Hill's golf director of 20 years can be found on the US PGA Championship website .

Hole 1 - Par 4 - 435 Yards

Opening tee shots are hit from an elevated tee. The hole usually plays downwind with it's most difficult hole locations being front left, behind a bunker, and the back right plateau.

Hole 2 - Par 5 - 529 Yards

A birdie is very possible on the slight dogleg left par 5 if the drive avoids the fairway bunkers. Difficult hole locations are back and middle right

Hole 3 - Par 3 - 198 Yards

The green runs diagonally from right to left and is surrounded by five bunkers. The further back the hole location, the more difficult the shot.

Hole 4 - Par 4 - 446 Yards

A dogleg left with four bunkers on the inside and three bunkers to the right. A small plateau runs from front left to back left and makes any left side hold locations very difficult.

Hole 5 - Par 4 - 490 Yards

The first of two long par fours with trees on the left and bunkers on the right of the fairway. A ridge at 280 yards crosses diagonally and must be carried. The second shot is one of the most difficult because of a new frontal bunker and a downhill lie. The most difficult hole location is front right, protected by a bunker and an elm tree.

Hole 6 - Par 4 - 387 Yards

The shortest par 4 on the course. This hole has the deepest green on the course with the putting surface split into two tiers. The option of using a shorter tee to allow players to try and drive the green should mean a very exciting hole for the 2008 US PGA Championship.

Hole 7 - Par 4 - 449 Yards

A slight dogleg with a new back tee and an additional 38 yards to the hole. The green is long and narrow and the most difficult hole locations are front and back left.

Hole 8 - Par 4 - 491 Yards

The toughest driving hole with an uphill approach and bunkers left and right which have been deepened and moved closer to the putting surface.

Hole 9 - Par 3 - 257 Yards

The longest of Oakland Hills' par 3s has been lengthened by 38 yards. Contouring is very severe and the front left plateau and back right make for difficult hole locations because of many bunkers.

More on the last 9 holes of Oakland Hills golf course. How will these changes impact on the 2008 US PGA Championship?

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