Tiger Woods and Ernie Els are leading calls for action on the fast-changing
world of golf technology.
The world's top two were among a number of players who spoke to Royal and
Ancient Club officials during the Open at Royal Troon about a situation which
they clearly believe is not good for the game.
Todd Hamilton's victory in a play-off over Els was further evidence that the
number of potential winners every week now is getting bigger and bigger.
Peter Dawson, the R&A's chief executive, said: "The Open historically has
been studded with multiple winners, but the last was Greg Norman in 1993.
"More players are putting in the work necessary to become good players, but
technology has something to do with it and we are seeing players at the top of
their profession saying something needs to be done.
"I don't think that was happening 20 to 30 years ago and you clearly have to
pay attention to that.
"Larger-headed drivers are easier to hit, balls are going further with less
spin and therefore less hooks and slices and the belly putter is a hot subject
for some of the top players too."
Asked if steps were needed rightaway to correct the balance Dawson added:
"It's not a question of urgency. It's a question of getting it right. This is
not something we are going to tinker with.
"I think these players believe, rightly or wrongly, that the gap used to be
wider with old equipment.
"You step on the practice ground of, say, an Amateur championship now and
watch 100 players hit the ball. It's hard to differentiate the top ones now.
"But don't put this in crisis proportions because over time the best players
still come to to the fore."
Hamilton's performance - on and off the course - was praised both by Dawson
and championship committee chairman David Pepper.
"There emerged a true champion," said Pepper and Dawson added: "The winner
was rigorously tested with being paired (for the last two days) with arguably
the best player in the world right now (Els) and had Phil Mickelson breathing
down his neck too. And he handled it.
"He is a very cool customer, extremely polite and well-mannered and truly
grateful. A thoroughly nice guy."
Unlike Sandwich last year - that was deemed "quirky" by most players - Royal
Troon provided a wonderful test and even without the weather turning really foul
nobody scored lower than 66.
"The players were happier with the greens than ever before, I think,"
commented Pepper.
Following the disqualification of Mark Roe and Jesper Parnevik last year for
signing for wrong scores - they had forgotten to exchange cards on the first tee
- a new system was in operation this time.
And it saved American Rich Beem from possible disqualification in the last
round.
His figures showed 41 for the front nine, but he had actually taken 42 and the
error was spotted.
Not that being thrown out would have mattered to Beem as much as it did to
Roe, who would have been joint fourth with a day to go at Royal St George's.
Beem finished 71st.
THE OPEN NEWS
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
