ONE of the world’s greatest golfers is staying at a house in St Andrews – complete with an exact replica of the world’s hardest bunker.
The four-bedroomed house on Howard Place is located just minutes from the Old Course, and comes equipped with a recreation of the notorious Road Hole bunker.
The difficult trap was carved into the back garden seven years ago, and even comes with a rake to match the real-life version.
Owners of the house have revealed that a “top ten” golfer is currently renting the place for the Open Championship later this week – and has the added bonus of being able to get some practice in at the tough bunker.
The owner, who has asked not to be named, said: “We use the house as well as high-end golfers who come and stay.
“It is currently being rented by someone who is in the top ten.
“The garden does have an exact replica of the Road Hole bunker – you’ll struggle to get out of it.
“We only allow plastic practice golf balls to be used in the garden – we don’t want any real balls flying into other houses.”
The luxury property, situated in the centre of the golfing town, is just five minutes from the Old Course.
The minimum charge per night for the property is £360. Pressure on accommodation in the Fife town during the championship is so great, the top golfer is likely to be paying far more.
The real bunker is a trap on the 17th hole at the course, and countless professional golfers have seen their dreams of winning the championship squandered after getting stuck.
Top Japanese golfer Tsuneyuki Nakajima was in contention at the championship in 1978 until he putted into, and took four attempts to escape from, the Road Hole bunker.
Following his attempts, the bunker was nicknamed “the Sands of Nakajima”.
Golf tournaments see rental prices go through the roof. The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles saw local homeowners cash in.
A three or four bedroom house near the course fetched between £1,500 and £4,000 a week while some homes went for as much £15,000.
