Professional golfers returning to play the 2002 Kemper Insurance Open share their thoughts about their favorite holes on the course at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel.
'If you hit a good drive then you have to make your decision to go for the green and it is a huge risk/reward hole.'
— Fred Funk
"No. 18 because I birdied it five times the year I won."
— Lee Janzen
"My favorite hole at Kemper Insurance Open, two favorite holes it would have to be. Seventeen, a good testing par three downhill with a pin cut right usually on Sunday. I made a great three there under pretty tough conditions and a fair amount of pressure."
"And 18, great finishing hole. Drive it on top of the hill, hitting downhill second to a sort of angled-away green. A really good stretch of two holes to finish. To make par, par there on a Sunday is going to win most times."
— Stuart Appleby
"The 11th hole is a nice little hole. A nice par three. I like that one. It's a good one. I think No. 10 is a very good hole. I think it is a very good hole. The green is a little bit difficult for the length of hole that it is but it's a stretch of holes that I like a lot.
"As far as the very best hole out there, maybe No. 6, the par five. I think it is a great risk and reward hole with a tiny little green. No. 7 is a great par four and No. 8 is a great par four, so I think as far as the best holes go it is one of those three."
— Tom Lehman
"Nos. 15-18 because you get a couple birdie chances at Nos. 13 and 14 and then you have your work cut out for you the rest of the way."
— Justin Leonard
"I think No. 6. It's just a neat hole. It has a lot of drama to it. If you hit a good drive then you have to make your decision to go for the green and it is a huge risk/reward hole."
— Fred Funk
"One of the most pivotal holes is No. 12. It is one of the most difficult par fours on tour. The fairway landing area is narrow off the tee. It is 472 yards from the tee, water is on the left. It is a demanding precise golf hole."
— Jay Dufty, golf pro, TPC at Avenel
"No. 2 is the longest hole on the golf course, 622 yards … The tee shot is the most important shot on the front nine. It sets the tone for the day. It is the fourth or fifth swing of the day — If you can hit down the middle, you set yourself up for a good round."
— Jay Dufty, golf pro, TPC at Avenel