JC, if it looks and plays like the real links (even located on a body of salt water), how is it faux?
Jim, I would think Jin Jeong, the British Amateur champ, has to be the favorite going in. He obviously knows the links game so Chambers conditions should not surprise him.
Andrew Putnam is a local guy and has played the course more than probably anyone else in the field, so that should give him a huge advantage.
I have a hard time seeing any big-bombin' high school and college players doing well. They are going to be in shellshock by the fact that they cannot just fire at the pin. You may see older guys make some noise as hopefully their experience and creativity may aid them more on this course (though the length will be a chore for them). Perhaps we should be looking towards European, Australian, and South African players to make some noise.
One more thing I forgot to mention. As expected, the balls are not flying with cooler temperature with low humidity and sea-level pressure. Marc mentioned that his irons were flying about a club less. He was going to spend some time on the range getting the exact distance of his clubs. The course will play every bit of its length even with its firm conditions.