High Score Will Win In Reno: Stableford Is Back!

From an unbylined AP story on the return of the format at this week's Reno-Tahoe Open, livening up a tour schedule dominated by 72-hole stroke play events.

It all should make for an exciting finish Sunday on the par 5-18th that stretches to 616 yards but runs downhill, often down wind, and usually is reachable in two.

"You can come down to the last and play the hole OK, make a five and some guy four points behind you can pass you," Harrington said. "You never lose a four-shot lead coming down to the last but you could easily lose a four-point lead."

Jana Smoley, director of the 14-year-old tournament, said the course sets up nicely for the different scoring format especially with high risk-reward shots on the final three holes that include the 220-yard, par-3 16th and 464-yard, par-4 17th.

"We like to say black is the new red in Reno," she said. "The highest score wins."