by John Brown
The reason Carnoustie is a brilliant course has to do with accuracy and length. Most par 4 holes are over 460 yards and there is also a 249 yard par 3 to a green that's only 10 yards wide. Miss a fairway too widely and there is no way back - it's a shot dropped. Same with the bunkers - get in one and it's likely to be a dropped shot. It's a better venue than Hoylake or St Andrews because players have to commit to a a long accurate drive from the tee, then follow it up with an excellent long iron to a green with lots of humps and hollow. The last 3 holes really need nerve and bottle. I watched Phil and Tiger lose with on their inaccurate tee shots. Padraig played excellent golf (until the last hole) then played some more excellent golf in the play-off, but sergio lost it with poor putting.

by Chuck Evans
You are dead right John! As in most "Open" courses driving accuracy is a premium, hit it the tall stuff and it's all over!
Congratulations to Paddie and may this be the first of many more.
chuck