Some Tees to Move in Windy St George

With strong winds expected on Thursday, some tees at Royal St George's may be brought forward for the first day of the Open Championship.

Gusts of up to 30 mph are forecast for Thursday, making some fairways unreachable off the tee for many players.

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient, has revealed that the par five seventh and the short 11th, which is 243 yards from tee to green, are among the holes that could be modified.

"We do have some wind issues out there," Dawson said. "We made the players aware at the start of the week that some tees may be moved up and they were invited to practice off forward tees if they wished.

"We do have some wind issues out there. We made the players aware at the start of the week that some tees may be moved up and they were invited to practice off forward tees if they wished. I think players should be able to reach the fairway and reach the par threes, frankly." 

Peter Dawson 

Otherwise, the course was described by R&A championship committee chairman Jim McArthur as "in terrific condition" and by Dawson as "right up there with the best."

"We believe that Royal St. George's is a true Open Championship test," McArthur said. "It's very much based on strategic play rather than muscle power."

US Open champion Rory McIlroy played a 6.30am practice round on Wednesday and after coming off the course in mid-morning, he predicted that some tees may have to be moved up.

Tough

"The seventh and 13th fairways were pretty tough to reach," said the 22-year-old Northern Irishman. "If the wind stays like this they're going to have to move a couple of tees."

McIlroy and his fellow countryman Darren Clarke got their week off to a winning start by beating defending champion Louis Oosthuizen and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel in a fourball match.

Clarke said: "He's playing lovely and has got the ball under control - and it's always nice getting the South Africans' money."

Because of the fast-running nature of the links, McIlroy has decided to put a two-iron into his bag for the first time since he played in the 2007 Open at Carnoustie as an amateur.

It replaces a five-wood because he can keep the ball flight lower.