Tiger out to tame the Ailsa
Posted: 7 July 2009
World number one Tiger Woods is relishing the challenge of taking on the Ailsa course for the first time at the 138th Open Championship, which gets underway at Turnberry on 16 July.
Woods, who won the 2000 and 2005 British Opens at St. Andrews and also lifted the Claret Jug in 2006 at Royal Liverpool, will be seeking his 15th major title as he aims to move one step closer to Jack Nicklaus’s career record of 18 majors.
Weather is often a decisive factor on the renowned Ailsa course, which is situated on the exposed coast of the Irish Sea and is regularly voted among the best in the world, but Woods believes that a more strategic course is to his advantage and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve never played Turnberry, so I’m looking forward to getting there and playing,” said Woods. “I’ve always preferred playing harder courses; I’ve always liked to play a golf course that you have to think and work your way around the golf course, like a chess match.”
Part of his preparation will include watching video of previous Open Championships at Turnberry, including Nick Price’s 1994 triumph, Greg Norman’s taming of the blustery conditions in 1986, and Tom Watson’s one shot victory over Jack Nicklaus in 1977 in the legendary “Duel in the Sun,’ which many consider the most dramatic of all Open Championships.
“I’ve seen the highlights. I think everyone has. But I haven’t seen it in a while,” Woods said. “More than anything, it depends on the camera angles; what they show you, what they’re able to show you.”
Since The Open Championship was last held at Turnberry 15 years ago, the Ailsa course has had its teeth sharpened with 21 new bunkers, several new tee positions, and various fairway realignments. The course length has also been increased by 247 yards to accommodate the game’s modern day big hitters and provide an even tougher challenge for the world’s finest.
“I’ll take a look at it. But from what I hear, they have changed a few holes. I don’t know what holes they have changed, but maybe I’ll get an idea of that first before I took a look at it. There’s only so much you can see on videotape. I’ll have to get there in person,” Woods said.
“But the whole idea before I get there is actually to have everything dialed in, feel comfortable with my swing, short putting, everything, then start getting the feel for how to play over there.
“I have to do more homework once I get there and do more prep work on the greens and make sure I truly understand how to play the golf course and have a game plan come Thursday.”
