Pebble Beach is ready to bite back, says Watson

Published on Thursday 17 June 2010 23:26

TOM Watson, 1982 US Open champion at Pebble Beach and who has seen it all at the fabled Pacific coast course, has warned that danger lurks for players at the 110th championship.

"The golf course is a lot different than when we played it before, in the sense that it's more dangerous," Watson, 60, said ahead of yesterday's opening round.

The course has been lengthened by 194 yards since the 2000 Open, four greens have been rebuilt, 11 bunkers altered or added, fairways reshaped and sections of rough shaved.

Eliminating rough from the edge of fairways along the coast wards against the bombs-away approach of some big hitters since there is no stopping a ball rolling toward the ocean.

"It's more dangerous with the fairways being cut right into the hazards. That was the intent. Let's make the hazards come into play," said Watson.

Visions of errant tee shots trickling off fairways, down a cliffside onto the beach below might terrify some players.

"That ball can roll right into the hazards if you get it going sideways a little bit," added Watson, the only player to appear at all five US Opens at Pebble. "It puts another question in your mind about playing Pebble Beach, toughens it up."

Speaking of the sixth hole that wends up and around a dramatic cliff, Watson said: "If you push it a little right, you're down there with the otters."

Twice US Open winner Ernie Els said he found out first-hand that the sands below could be in play. "I actually hit one on to the beach the other day on the tenth hole," he said. "I think I could have got down there. I don't know if I would have come back up. I think you might need a rope or something coming up. It will be interesting."