|
 |   |
EVENTS
CENTERS
CNNSI.com GROUP |  |
Weathering the heat Players prepare themselves for sauna-like conditions
Can it get any hotter and more humid here? The hot and sweaty afternoons suffocating Louisville this week are expected to continue. While mere mortals might wilt in this weather, the players at Valhalla this week know what to expect in this heat. The players are in good shape and doing everything they can to ensure their stamina and strength can withstand four days of intense golf starting Thursday. They'll be ready. Let's hope the fans can withstand the heat as well. The big news Wednesday was the death of Helen Nicklaus, Jack Nicklaus' mother. I'm unsure whether many of the players knew of the incident. Many players got on the course early, did their work, got out of the humidity and prepared themselves for tomorrow. But I'm sure all will marvel the Golden Bear's strength to continue playing the championship in honor of his mother. Ernie Els and Tiger Woods are the favorites heading into tomorrow. Valhalla is playing a little bit softer than it did in 1996. That could make it difficult to reach pin placements on some of the holes. And if players drive it in the rough, then it's double trouble. Many of the players will opt to leave the driver in the bag and use the 3-wood or irons off the tee. The players playing well will put the ball in the fairway. The challenge will be to get the ball on the right plateau of the green. If the players miss the green, they'll be real busy trying to get the ball close to the hole. The course was tweaked somewhat from 1996. Length was added to holes 1, 2, 5 and 12. And the eighth green was extended. But the players have been ranting and raving about the course since they got here. It's a totally changed attitude. More length and softening of the course. Sounds like this year's U.S. Open doesn't it? And we know happened there. Many thought Pebble Beach would be too soft for Tiger and he won the U.S. Open by 15 shots. Some believed St. Andrews would be too hard and fast for Woods. He only won the British Open by nine shots. Course conditions are a factor for the rest of the field, but not Tiger. That's what makes him the overwhelming favorite. If he gets off to a good start early, the buzz here will be unbelievable. If not, the buzz won't be as loud. Look for him to post red figures early and often Thursday. Billy Kratzert is a TNT course reporter and a former PGA Tour player for 21 years.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
