Players arriving early for the PGA Championship took quick notice of the Valhalla Golf Club's thick rough.
"The bluegrass is a little thicker around the greens, that's a little tougher," Bob Tway, the 1986 winner at Inverness in Toledo, said Monday after a practice round. "You can't hit it in that stuff all week."However, like most Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, Valhalla's fairways are spacious. The course also favors high left-to-right shots, a staple of Nicklaus' game and designs.
And like most of Nicklaus' layouts, long hitters have an advantage. But they lost the chance for an eagle on the 605-yard, par-5 seventh hole when the PGA of America eliminated the shortcut "island fairway."
"It doesn't make any sense," said Lee Janzen, the 1993 U.S. Open winner. "I think a hole where you can make a 3 or a 6 is better than one where you can make a 4 or a 5."
While the players can steer clear of the rough, there will be no escaping the 90-degree and high humidity.
On Monday, medical officials treated more than 25 people for heat-related problems and took two to the hospital.
"Hot, very hot," Fiji's Vijay Singh said after his practice round. "Some of the fairways are down in valleys, and the air isn't moving at all."
Patrick Burke worried that the heat - expected to remain in the 90s through the week - will cloud his judgment.
"The hardest thing is to think clearly," he said. "You have to be prepared, drink your water."
PGA of America spokesman Julius Mason said the organization wouldn't release crowd estimates. But 30,000 tickets were sold for each day, and by early Monday about 10,000 people had passed counters at the club's entrance.
"It shows you the majors need to get into markets the PGA Tour doesn't get into," Payne Stewart said. "There weren't this many people at the whole tournament last year in Los Angeles. For a Monday of a championship, for there to be this many people - people in this area are starving for golf."
The tournament begins Thursday.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Summerhays makes U.S. Amateur field
Boyd Summerhays scored a course-record 62 at Wingpointe Golf Course Monday to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship.
The 17-year-old from Farmington had two eagles and one birdie en route to carding his 10-under-par round. The previous record of 65 was set by Todd Barker. Summerhays scored a 78 in the morning's first round for a total of 140.
Steve Borget also qualified with a two-round total of 146. The U.S. Amateur is scheduled for Aug. 19-25 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Cornelius, Ore.
Ryan Oldroyd shot a 150 and is first alternate, followed by Jim CcGregor and Scott Fairbanks at 151.