Update On Muirfield Conditions Heading Into The Open
/John Huggan played Muirfield recently, says the rough is not quite as horrid as rumored, but confirms the R&A's "Treatment" has included a beefing up of the 377-yard third hole to ensure that strategy is non-existent.
Traditionally, this semi-blind par-4 has required the tee-shot to be placed at least left-of-center to allow a look at the flag. Unfortunately, the ideal spot -- one your correspondent has been aiming at for the last four decades or so -- is suddenly covered in thick rough that reduced this mere mortal to a mindless hack back into play. By my estimation, around seven or eight yards of fairway have been eliminated, on both sides, left and right.