"It will not look as much out of place off the golf course during the Open as it does now."

The R&A must have had some kind of fine goody bag at the Open Championship media day, or perhaps it was just the thrill of playing the Old Course for free. Either way, the scribblers turned in a dismal performance when it came to evaluating the Road hole's new tee.

Thankfully GolfDigest.com featured this Local Knowledge post from Brett Avery about the new tee, which apparently has grown into a 495-yarder (up from 490 when first announced!).

The new tee looks out of place, positioned on a practice ground behind an out-of-bounds fence and beyond a service road running along the right of the 16th hole. Although Dawson said the aiming point for the tee shot remains the same to clear the shed beside the Old Course Hotel, the obstacle that makes an imposing blind shot to the fairway for daily players now seems miles away for the touring professional. "It will not look as much out of place off the golf course during the Open as it does now," Dawson said, noting it will be disguised by the trappings of the Open. The new tee also means a reconfiguration of the grandstands beside the 16th green, where about 2,000 seats will be available, albeit slightly further from the putting surface.

Avery also notes a curious change to the 7th hole's yardage.