EarthGolf

Hmm… the advocates of golf’s fifth of the four majors are stepping up. Sawgrass’ superintendent Fred Klauk is ready to declare it so.

“We’ve had a lot players tell us that the course is in great shape and that it’s a fair setup as long as the greens don’t get too fast,” Klauk says. “Fortunately, we have more control over the conditions than we ever did before and we can get the golf course just how we want it, which is the way it should be for a major championship.”

Defending champion Stephen Ames makes the point that the fairways aren’t even as “wide” as they measure.

“When we play a firmer, faster golf course, the fairways that are 25 and 30 yards wide become half that, because any kind of curve on the ball … it’s not going to stay in the fairway.”

And we’re already on Shinnecock watch this week. Tournament director Brian Goin says that firm and fast conditions are going to prevail this week.

“Everyone is psyched about that, but at the same time we’re all very much aware that the setup is going to have to be watched carefully,” Goin said. “On a hole like 17 (the island-green par 3), because it’s exposed, we don’t want to let the green get away from us. It could become a circus, and that’s not something we want.”

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, one to never play second fiddle, goes ahead and declares his course second best - to Augusta, of course.

”It will clearly be the second-best stage in golf,” commissioner Tim Finchem said recently. “And I don’t mind being second to Augusta.”

Clearly.

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