When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Open Returning to Liverpool In '14
/USGA Tweaks Pebble's 14th
/Mike Davis kindly reported back about the troublesome 14th at Pebble Beach and the extreme chipping area that led to AT&T final round dramatics.
After studying the 14th green situation for about 45 minutes today, we decided to bring the rough up on the left side about half-way. I think that will, on balance, provide the fairest outcome. It will allow balls just left of the green to roll down about 5 paces and then be caught by rough. The player would have an uphill shot that could be played with a bump and run or a high-lofted pitch. It will give the player under the tree down on the flat area a play (which he never had before with thick rough) – hit a low pitch out of the rough onto the closely mown area and run it up the hill. I think this scenario will challenge the players from all four sides of the green … try to get their ball up onto what might be the smallest (effective) green for any major competition (that I know of).
Once again, great to see Davis and the committee unafraid of making adjustments this close to the tournament in the name of common sense. Not that the 14th still won't keep Davis and championship committee chair Tom O'Toole up at night, but this modification should cut down on some extreme goofiness. Though the front hole location will still be a beast.
"Nothing would advance the public’s embrace of naturalistic golf course maintenance more than to see more diversity in tournament course preparation"
/"Definition of insanity? Playing West Coast Swing in January & February! Only 2 bad months of weather for the entire year."
/"If the last half hour has been torture for you, you have no idea what is has been like for us!"
/Pebble's 14th And Chipping Areas **
/"I know, I lost most of you after 'Zeus.'"
/Where Is Peter Oosterhuis On CBS Telecasts?
/2010 AT&T National Pro-Am Open Thread
/Track the scores here and post your thoughts, gripes and other observations below in the comments section.


