Players Moan About Harbour Town Changes: "It didn't need too much lengthening."

Brian Wacker talks to players about PGA Tour changes to Harbour Town and they aren't very happy.

The par-4 third is 32 yards longer -- though the old forward tee was used Thursday because of the windy conditions -- and the dogleg left 16th is 36 yards longer.

"The whole point [on 16] was whether or not to hit driver or 3-wood," Luke Donald said. "It takes the thought out of that hole. Now you just grab driver."

Slugger White, Vice President of Rules and Competition for the PGA TOUR, said the 16th was pushed back specifically for that reason, because Dye wanted to get the driver back in the hands of players.

In other words, it had become too easy to hit 3- or 5-wood on the hole because of increases in distance with equipment. And last year, White noted, a player hit driver, wedge into the par-5 fifth, which was also lengthened.

The par-4 18th, meanwhile, had an additional tee box put in back and to the left, bringing Calibogue Sound more into play. Because of the potential of the wind on that hole, however, White said that tee will not be used this week.

Other tees lengthened or altered include the sixth, eighth, 10th and 15th holes.

The changes certainly seemed to get the attention of players.

"I think 3 and 16 are unnecessary, yes," Furyk said.

"Pretty unnecessary," quipped Donald. "It didn't need too much lengthening."