Strange Finds Scottish Fairways Difficult

Sub-par rounds have been routine at the British Open with the favorable weather conditions--warm weather, minimal rough and hard-baked fairways.

However, those same fairways can be treacherous. Just ask Curtis Strange, two-time U.S. Open champion. Strange finished early Sunday with a 74, and four over par for the tournament at 292.

“The fairways are so dry and, if you’re not used to it, it’s like playing on Interstate 95 with pebbles on it,” Strange said.

Strange added that the conditions are as unfamiliar to U.S. golfers as they are to Europeans.

Most courses are moistened by rain during a year, but an unseasonable dry spell has endured in this seaside city, with the exception of light sprinkles, since early May.

“I didn’t play very good,” Strange said. “I never made any putts and didn’t have a feel for the course.”

Strange shot a 70 in the opening round, which he said easily could have been a 67 if not for a few missed putts he could have made.

“Then, when you drift behind and try to make up some ground, and subconsciously you’re playing well to do it,” he said.”

“It can be difficult to score here because you get a lot of wild bounces and that’s after you’ve hit some good shots. Links courses aren’t usually this hard.”

Like other U.S. golfers, Strange said he is tired of reading British newspaper reports pitting the Americans against the Europeans.

“This isn’t World War III,” Strange said. “The Open is international golf, not a match between the U.S. and Europe. That only comes in the Ryder Cup.”