Key HoleKnown as Inis More, the 16th is a double dog-leg par five that measures 606 yards from the back tee (unlikely to be used during the three days, making the hole about 540 yards) and represents a classic matchplay conundrum.
Depending on how the match is going, it may force players to take it on in two or try the safer option of a three-shot strategy.
TEE SHOT: Two new trees have been introduced down the right-hand side, probably forcing the longer hitters to take it down the left of centre a little bit more. There are plenty of bunkers on the right to catch one that veers off line.
APPROACH: For those going for the green in two it's probably going to require a second shot of about 230 yards or so over the river Liffey. Push it right and it's dead while over-compensating left will find long grass, a bunker or trees.
The three-shot option means a mid iron or less lay-up to leave a wedge into a newly-constructed green.
This isn't a mere bagatelle either as it's important to finish under the pin and not leave a tricky downhill putt.
GREEN: It has been extended, thereby allowing for more pin positions.
It has plenty of slopes that place a premium on hitting the ball to the right place.
1 Bohereen Road 418 yards, par four.
A three-wood down the left for the longer hitters, looking for a controlled fade would leave a shortish iron into an undulating green. Go right off the tee and you'll be swallowed by the trees.
2 The Tunnel 413 yards, par four.
There's a similar demand to the first hole off the tee here with only one bunker to contend with but the player simply can not go right. Depending on the pin position this is a real opportunity for birdie.
3 The Island Beach 170 yards, par three.
It's a very shallow green from front to back with the traditional pin position in the right front. There is a ridge that separates the right side from the left and given it's a one club green, correct selection is the key.
4 Arnold's Pick 568 yards, par five.
Time for the big hitters to excel, taking it down the left over the cluster of bunkers and down the slope, leaving a long iron to the green. Leave it on the right side of the fairway and you'll have to shape it around the trees.
Well bunkered green.
5 Square Meadow 440 yards, par four.
A very tough hole played predominantly into the wind. No matter how long the tee shot, a player is unlikely to be able to see the bottom of the pin on a green that slopes away. Can't be short, left or right. Long is okay.
6 The Liffey Stream 478 yards, par four.
Downwind, the driver will stay in the bag. The fairway slopes downhill and a player simply must hit it. Hit it in the rough and it's going to make the second shot over water to a green that slopes from back to front hard to control.
7 Michael's Favourite 430 yards, par four.
There is no way you can miss the green right because a creek awaits an errant drive, or left because there's water and trees lurking. Hitting the fairway leaves a tough second and the green isn't exactly a doddle either in putting terms.
8 Mayfly Corner 173 yards, par three.
Unless the wind is blowing from the east where a four- or five-iron would be required for a back-pin position, this is a real birdie opportunity with a short iron. The river on the right isn't in play for the pros.
9 The Eye of the Needle 461 yards, par four.
The demand off the tee is simple, avoid the huge tree in the middle of the fairway, either right or left. You can't see much of the putting surface with your second shot and the green slopes away from the golfer.
10 Mick Holly 584 yards, par five.
If the longer hitters thump one down the fairway then the green will be reachable in two but it's a tough shot into a narrow funnel with bunkers on either side. Those who prefer a three-shot approach will lay up to 120 or 80 yards depending on their preference.
11 Lily Pond 415 yards, par four.
A new tree on the left will restrict the longer hitters on this dog-leg left short par four. If the pin position is cut on the left-hand side of the green then the water will come into play for anything pulled.
12 The Domain 183 yards, par three.
The lake cuts into the front of the green and the pin will be tucked in with a bunker at the back awaiting those who over-club. The new two-tier green slopes from right to left.
13 Laurel Haven 428 yards, par four.
For the pros this is about the tee shot which must carry about 275 yards to get a good view of the green. You can't push the second but they'll only be going in with a short iron.
14 Church Fields 213 yard, par three.
The wind generally plays into the golfer from the left, the direction from which the green slopes. This must be negotiated with a long iron to a green divided by a ridge.
15 Pheasant Run 446 yards, par four.
Trees left, water right but a generous enough fairway. This is about the second shot to a semi-blind pin and a seriously undulating green that requires a player to pitch on the front to run it into the middle of the green.
17 Half Moon 424 yards, par four.
The new tee 40 yards back from the old one makes this a totally different prospect and arguably the toughest tee shot in the round. Ian Woosnam threw his driver in the river, Thomas Bjorn took 11. No further elaboration required.
18 The Hooker's Graveyard 537 yards, par five
A real eagle opportunity for the big hitters because the green is eminently reachable in two blows. Can't be short or left with the second shot as water awaits. Classic matchplay hole.
