| High + no wind + soft conditions = Winning combo (yes, even on a links)
High + gale + rock hard ground = disaster.
This will not be a typical Open and completely different from last year's Car Park gig. There won't be many 300 yd. 2 iron stingers! I can predict plenty of 65s over the week. Woods will have a different game plan this week.
My home course is a true links, similar in many ways to 'Noustie. There has been so much rain so far this summer, there are still pitch marks on the greens (unheard of in mid July). The only protection is a bit of wind and lush rough. Get a calm day where you can shoot for the pins and watch out. They'll be spinning the bayjaysus out of it, even from the rough. The "Smash and Grab" boys will have a field day.
Look at the Dunhill scores over the past few years. "Carnasty" has had it's manhood removed since the last Open. I don't think it will be a pushover, but I do see the boys going low.
Look at the final qualifying scores at the local courses to give you an idea. |