Road hole monster is at it again

The first round figures speak for themselves: No eagles, four birdies, 54 pars, 70 bogeys, 21 double bogeys and seven of the dreaded “others.”

Its 455 yards of golfing torture drew thousands of fans on Thursday to witness the agony at the most famous par-4 in the world and they did not have long to wait.

One of the hottest players on the US Tour, Notah Begay was tearing up the course as he arrived at the 17th tee, seven under par and out in front.

But a wayward drive left him in deep rough left of the narrow fairway and two despairing hacks later he turned up ankle high in the swilken burn. Another three shots to get down and a stunned Begay stumbled over to the 18th tee.

“I acknowledge the fact that that hole has had me by the tail. One thing just led to another and before I knew it I was wet and getting out of the burn and trying to make a three-footer for seven,” he said.

Begay’s seven was bettered (or worsened) by two players — Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe and Robert Karlsson of Sweden — both of whom had eights.

But there were sevens for Steve Stricker and Mark Calcavecchia and sixes for Paul Azinger, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin and Lee Trevino.

Even Tiger Woods had his problems, landing in deep rough from the blind drive and needing a mighty swipe with his second to just reach the green in two.

No such problems for first round leader Ernie Els.

The South African split the fairway with his drive and then played the shot of the day — a six-iron to five feet from 184 yards out. He birdied to take the outright lead for the first time.

“If you make 4s there this week, you have to be the happiest man,” said Els after finishing with a six-under-par 66.

“I have one shot on that hole now, so hopefully I can keep it there. It is an awfully difficult hole," he added.

The other three to birdie at the road hole were Loren Roberts of the United States, Eduardo Romero of Argentina and Phillip Price of Wales.