The History of Golf Re-Imagined

History of Golf Re-Imagined: Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood among the winners if the game was played over nine holes

The History of Golf Re-Imagined

To mark this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, England Golf have re-imagined what the history of the game would look like if it was played over nine holes, rather than 18.

It's part of a new launch for Golf Express, which aims to inspire busy people to play more golf through the nine-hole format of the game.

England Golf has conducted research into the result of every major championship of the last five years to determine how the outcome of each event would differ if played over nine holes.

To address the debate of whether the game is won or lost on the front nine or back nine holes, research has been conducted into both.

If the game was played over the front nine holes, last year’s BMW PGA Championship would have been won by Thongchai Jaidee.

The Thai, who finished runner-up behind Ben An, would have clinched victory at ten-under-par.

In the statistics for the last five years, Rory McIlroy is the only man to have won both the back and front-nines at a major with his win at the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.

If golf was played over nine-holes Tiger Woods would have added a further two major honours to his record.

In 2012, the 14-time major winner would have won The Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire.

Eventual winner Ernie Els would have finished third behind Woods (four-under-par) and Australia’s Adam Scott (two-under-par).

Woods would also have clinched the 2013 Masters had it come to a finish after the ninth hole.

At four-under-par he would have beaten Angel Cabrera, Jason Day and Marc Leishman (all two-under) to claim a fifth green jacket at Augusta.

If the game was played over the back nine holes, Lee Westwood would have picked up his long-awaited first major championship at this year’s Masters.

Interestingly, Robert Garrigus, who has just one PGA Tour victory to his name, would have won two majors in 2011 at the US Open and Open Championship if they were played just on the back nine.

Similarly, Justin Rose would have added a second major championship trophy to his collection if the game was played from holes 10 to 18.

The 2013 US Open champion would have won a green jacket at last year's Masters where he finished T2nd with Phil Mickelson behind Jordan Spieth.

Justin Rose said: “During practice I often play nine holes, rather than 18. Golf Express gives people the opportunity to go out and enjoy all the benefits of the game in half the time.”

England Golf’s Club Services and Development Director Richard Flint said: “What this research does is shine a light on the nine hole game and I hope it encourages more people to get into golf.”

Golf Express offers places to play across the country through its online directory at www.golfexpress9.org and keep an eye out for its special offers.