Tiger Woods strategising for baked Carnoustie, Open's 'toughest' test
The fairways at Carnoustie are currently quicker than the greens, says Woods.
Tiger Woods says Carnoustie may be the Open's hardest layout and explained the fairways are currently playing quicker than the greens as he prepares to compete for the 2018 Open.
The 41-year-old, who plays the Open for the first time since 2015 because of injury, was introduced to Carnoustie in the 1999 Open – aged 19 –which was also his first look at a links course.
He placed seventh that year, and tied for twelfth when he took it on in 2007.
"I have missed not playing The Open in a while because this is our oldest tournament," said Woods.
"This is the oldest tournament we have in our sport. I have my name on the trophy a few times so that’s pretty cool. To come out here and play in the Open Championship is always good.
"And then coming here to Carnoustie, it is special. This is my fourth time playing it as a tournament. From my first time coming here as an amateur to being back now, it's just amazing how this course doesn't change. It is right in front of you. It's hard. It's probably the most difficult one we play in the whole rotation."
With the UK basking in a heat wave, Carnoustie’s lush ground has baked in the sun over recent weeks, drying out fairways and greens.
“Right now the fairways are faster than the greens,” he said. “I am sure they will probably speed the greens up a touch but I’m sure this will be one of those weeks where the fairways are a little quicker than the greens. It is mainly about trajectory. You can get the same numbers with different trajectories.
“That’s what is going to be important, how hot you want the ball coming into the fairways. You can really make the ball roll 60, 70, 80 yards; is it really worth it or not? Some of the holes; can you carry bunkers? It is a risk reward golf course and the way it is set up right now, it is going to play very narrow because it is so fast.”
Woods has become a links master over the years, with three Claret Jugs in his locker.
“I have played in so many Opens but also so many links courses in my career. We don’t get a chance to see it quite this firm very often, it was like this in 2000 and like this at Hoylake but we don’t really see the fairways this quick. It’s different this week and will be a lot of fun.
“I have only played eight holes so I have a lot of work to do over the next few days. Different winds are forecast for the next few days so it will be nice to see those different conditions.
“It’s a feel thing. People don’t realise, especially watching on TV, the difference between landing a ball on the downslope versus into an upslope and how many yards that can mean to a shot. It is just different.
“We have had all different playing conditions here. We have had it burnt out and dry, we have had it thick and lush. It is what it is. That’s the neat thing about coming to links courses, we play it as it is. It’s not tricked up and it’s right in front of us."
