The R&A has confirmed that Royal Troon, the host of this year’s Open Championship, will have the longest hole in the tournament’s history.

At a media briefing on Tuesday morning, R&A officials spoke about course changes overseen by Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert. The most notable is the extension of the par-five sixth, named ‘Turnberry’, to 623 yards from the back tee, 22 yards longer than when it hosted the Open in 2016. It is now also three yards longer than the fifteenth at Royal Liverpool, last year’s host and the previous record holder.

Mackenzie & Ebert has worked on nine back tees, lengthening the course by 195 yards.

Three new bunkers have also been introduced, on the first fairway, sixth fairway and next to the sixth green.

“There is a lot of space out there and we’ve done a lot of work on the throughflow, pathways and spectator areas,” said Mike Woodcock, director of corporate communications at R&A. “There’s been a lot of work done in the on-course areas to ensure that the fans can get around and enjoy good viewing areas.

Royal Troon’s eighth hole, the Postage Stamp, measures 123 yards on the official scorecard, but the R&A has the option for it to play at just 99 yards, by using a forward tee and a pin position at the front of the green.