'CME Group Battleground' Tiburon Golf Course "Work of the White Shark"

Norman Design Opened in 1998, Hosted QBE Shootout, Scottish-Style Bunker Setup, Decisive Moments at Final 16th-18th Holes

"Great White Shark" Greg Norman has designed more than 100 golf courses worldwide, including Tiburon Golf Club.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "A masterpiece by the White Shark."

Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset) and Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group) are competing for the 'money queen' title on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour at the CME Group Tour Championship (total prize money $3 million). The fierce battleground is the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, USA. It is a semi-private club with 36 holes, including the Gold and Black courses. Designed by the 'White Shark' Greg Norman (Australia), it opened 22 years ago in 1998. Norman turned professional in 1976 and held the world No. 1 ranking for 331 weeks, winning two Open Championships, the oldest major tournament.

During his active career, he was called 'The Great White Shark.' He is a 'living legend of Australia,' having won 20 PGA Tour titles, 14 European Tour titles, and a total of 88 professional wins. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and, after retirement, has devoted himself to clothing and interior design, real estate, private equity, and golf course design. Greg Norman Golf Course Design, founded in 1987, has created over 100 courses worldwide.

Tiburon is also famous as the venue for the PGA Tour off-season event QBE Shootout, hosted by Norman since 2001. In its early days, it was called the Shark Shootout after Norman's nickname. The format features 24 top players competing in 12 teams of two. This year's tournament, which ended on the 14th, was won by the team of Harris English and Matt Kuchar (both from the USA). The winner's prize money was $895,000 (approximately 970 million KRW).

It is a regular on Florida's 'Top 20' lists selected by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. In 2006, it was the first to use customized Segway golf carts. The CME Group Tour Championship has been held here since 2013. The course is set as a par 72, 6,556 yards. The relatively short length favors long hitters. Since 2014, about 500 trees have been removed. With almost no rough, it is relatively easy to keep the ball on the fairway.

The bunkers at Tiburon Golf Course have steeply cut, terraced sides.

If the tee shot goes astray, players must hit from natural grass or dry pine needles. This means that after a stable tee shot, an accurate iron shot is necessary. The greens are large. A strategy to secure an easy putting spot on the second shot is required. The bunkers are similar to those in Scotland, with uniquely sharp-edged, stepped shapes. Getting caught on the bunker lip can be a fatal blow. The decisive moments come in the last three holes, 16 through 18.

The 16th hole is a par 3, 168 yards. While the distance is not intimidating, the green's undulation is challenging. Threatening greenside bunkers lurk nearby. The 17th hole is a par 5, offering some relief from the pressure of the 16th. With a tailwind, it is a hole where players must reduce their strokes. The final 18th hole is a par 4. Depending on the wind, the course setup adjusts from 395 to 425 yards. Water flows along the left side of the hole. The second approach shot is crucial.