The Magic Kingdom

Faxon parred No. 17 Saturday, but the field averaged 4.63 shots for the week. Photo: J.D. Cuban

Meanwhile, the course's four drivable par fours, Nos. 9, 10, 12 and 18, weren't substantially changed. With the wind down or usually favoring, they were driven more than ever, often with 3-woods. But as short par 4s have become accepted as some of the most exciting holes in big-time golf, rather than being dismissed as Mickey Mouse, the length and daring of the shots brought an element of excitement to the championship. As Dawson pointed out, the holes are "separators" where more talented players can apply their skill to gain a tangible advantage.

While no one would argue that a steady diet of such holes would be appropriate at most courses, their preservation at St. Andrews fits the timeless nature of the venue. For that matter, the two par 5s, the 568-yard fifth and 618-yard 14th, were regularly hit in two with irons—also mostly because of downwind conditions. Saturday, the shortish-hitting Brad Faxon drove three par 4s and hit both par 5s in two. "That doesn't happen to Brad Faxon too often," he said.

Statistically, the Old Course got taken apart. Woods led the driving stats with an average of 341.5 yards, while the field average was 312.7; in fact, only three players among the 80 finishers averaged less than 300 yards. The field hit 74.1 greens in regulation, a figure which would lead that category on the PGA Tour most years. Scottish amateur Eric Ramsey, used to the links bounce, missed only 10 greens all week.

But where St. Andrews gives, it also takes away, and in a way that makes it more resistant than other courses to the effects of technology. As a counterbalance to the length the ball traveled, the hole locations became the course's best defense. The Old Course's immense greens provide myriad possibilities, and in conditions Nicklaus described as "bouncy" even for links golf, pins were placed where no conventional approach could get within 20 feet. But perhaps conditioned by the experiences of Shinnecock Hills and—most recently—Pinehurst, there were almost no complaints. "The R&A did a great job with the pin positions and the way they set up the course," said Sergio Garcia, who finished T-5. "They should be proud of it."

More than ever at St. Andrews, solid putting from distance and sure holing became the order of the day. Although the greens never got quicker than 10.6 on the Stimpmeter (while the ninth and 10th fairways were measured at 11), the championship was in many ways a marathon putting contest. Woods tied for the fewest putts with 120, a figure which would never lead at any other major venue, while the field average was 129, which would have been dead last at the U.S. Open.

What is almost unquantifiable—at least until ShotLink makes its way to Fife—is the confounding nature of a St. Andrews eight-footer. Between wind, grass irregularities and the subtle breaks, the feeling over these crucial putts is often one of uncertainty. For all his wonderful ball-striking, it was Woods' will and focus within this zone that was the biggest contributor to his winning. If he had putted nearly as well last month at Pinehurst as he did last week on the Old Course, he would be going for the Grand Slam at Baltusrol.

"This week the great putters are shining," said Tom Watson, who finished a credible T-41 while ranking 56th in putting. "When you play St. Andrews and there is not a lot of wind, that putter is the one stick that is going to win you the golf tournament."

Making the big putts is in concert with the other great challenge at St. Andrews, the weight of history. Bobby Jones' statement that no career is complete without a victory at St. Andrews always weighed on Nicklaus' mind, and even Woods seemed more inward and tense than usual. "It's the greatest stage in golf, the major of majors, and we all know that," said Ian Baker-Finch, who led after three rounds in 1984 at St. Andrews. "Everyone wants it too much and tries too hard. The great champions find a way to get it done under the great pressure." Last week, of the 18 players who started the final round within six shots of Woods, only one, Bernhard Langer with a 71, broke par.