In 1994 Turnberry was in lush condition, softened by heavy pre-championship rainfall, its fairways somewhat wider than the alleys of 1986, its rough short because of a poor growing season. "We are not worried if players shoot low scores, so long as as the best players are winning," said then-secretary of the Royal and Ancient Michael Bonallack. "On a links course, if you make it too penal, you take away the whole character and players take irons off the tee. You want to tempt them to use drivers off the tees and attack the course. They can still get in a lot of trouble even if there is not so much rough."
Those playing well didn't get in much trouble, particularly after the wind abated following the first round. Price matched Watson's 268 winning total, with Jesper Parnevik one shot back in second place. Unlike the parched, bump-and-run Open of 1977, when Green was the only other player who broke 280, 35 more golfers finished under par.
Whether shootout or survival test this year -- the rough is said to be formidable, more like 1986 than 1977 or 1994 -- there is no reason to believe Turnberry won't suit the best player in the game ... again.
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