Unfair Greens in Melbourne?

[Lifter]

Furyk leads by example at Presidents Cup | GOLF.com

Y.E. Yang, the 2009 PGA champion, says the greens at Royal Melbourne are unfair, the first player on either Presidents Cup team to even remotely criticize the course.

``I don't know what Royal Melbourne has done, but these are probably the toughest greens I've ever played on,'' Yang said through an interpreter. ``If you just lose your focus for a split second, you can make bogey or double or triple.''

``I want to say they are unfair, really, because they seem unfair to me. If you go into just a little bit of a tricky position, all hell breaks out. That's what I've experienced for the past two days.''

His playing partner on Thursday will be fellow South Korean K.T. Kim. They'll play Americans Hunter Mahan and David Toms in foursomes.

Unlike Yang, Kim said he was ``impressed'' by the firm greens at Royal Melbourne, which he played for the first time six years ago in an amateur tournament.

 

[Lifter]

Anyone with any first-hand knowledge?

 

[jenhaoyen]

just be a man and play, stop complaining

 

[Damon Lucas]

These greens have the speed of Oakmont, the undulations of Augusta, and 6 irons will bounce and roll 30 feet. With any kind of breeze, expect some fun and games! The course itself is not too hard if you are just trying to hit fairways, but become very tough if you have to hit the lines that provide any kind of access to the pins.
I have some money on an International win this week. Game on!

 

[Ryan Smither]

Now we're talking! ... I took the Americans, and Mr. Toms at 10-1 for America's high-points scorer. Let's gooo!!!

Think El Tigre will have his game face on tonight? Should be an intense matchup.

 

[Lifter]

I think the key question is whether the US avoids getting blown out in alternate shot. If they do, then I think they ought to win.

Also, shouldn't the fact that Melbourne's fairways are so wide and generous be a big advantage for Tiger?

 

[(.Y.)]

I expect to see a few players putting off the greens if they are as quick as they are saying and stay firm for the 4 days.

Haven't played the composite (or this particular variant) but yeah very strategic off the tees (although i think someone like DJ could put it in spots that haven't been hit from before if he wants to) but low score possible if you are good enough in to the greens. Sounds like spin control will be a big issue.

Can't remember the last tourney at RM so will be good to watch!

 

[Damon Lucas]

Tiger will do well, and I think David will too, but the rest of the US are injured, out of form, too old, wrong kind of game, or naive about how to play a course like RM! The Aussies(I mean Internationals) know the place, have played well there(Ernie!), or are in form(Schwartzel).
I expect Bubba to cry, Hunter to stroke his goatee in bewilderment, Mickelson to yawn, and Tiger to have several of those expressions that he exhibited when he played with Mickelson(18th tee at Hal's RC).

 

[Lifter]

Bubba's gonna try to drive the first green!

 

[Lifter]

Nice. Got it 30 yards short of the green. And Kuchar's great with his wedges.

 

[Lifter]

Whoops, Bubba's playing with Webb. Almost holed it!

 

[Lifter]

Americans have definitely exceeded expectations so far. Now if Tiger and DJ can figure out how to keep it on the golf course......

 

[Jwat]

Yea I figured if they could get through Day 1 split, than they would dominate the rest of the tourny. Wait till the Americans start making some putts.