Long test in San Diego

PLAYERS at this week's San Diego Open will have to tackle two courses playing extra long after surprisingly heavy rainfall in the area over the last week.

The picturesque North and South layouts at Torrey Pines have been saturated by just over four inches on a part of the California coastline that usually receives a total of ten inches for the entire year.

Around 20 trees were uprooted by strong winds last week and the rough on each of the two par-72 courses has become much thicker, thereby increasing the penalty for wayward shots. "The fairways aren't going to roll out as much and it (the rain] makes the courses play longer," said American Brandt Snedeker.

"It'll make it brutally tough because the rough will be super thick. And it changes each year here depending on the weather. A couple of years ago when I played really well here, there was hardly any rough at all."

This week's field of 156, headed by world No 2 and three-time champion Phil Mickelson and also including Scot Martin Laird, will play each of the two courses for the first two rounds before the action shifts to the hosting South layout for the weekend.