Seems like firm and fast conditions will be there for the rest of the tournament. One of the best loopers said yesterday morning and afternoon were worlds different as the course got faster and faster as the day progressed. It appears the scores reflected same.
If you haven't ever seen or played the "Valley" when it's in tournament mode, it's hard to imagine all the subtleties of these spectacular greens and how you must make careful decisions on how to play the course. For instance with the pin tucked over the left ridge line on four the only way to get a reasonable putt for birdie and to insure a good chance of two putting is get it pin high or deep. Hard as it used to be , it's even harder now with the hole being so long from the new back tee.
The pin was front middle on 15 , only place is pin high or short . Anything a little past leaves a dreadfully fast downhiller that can go off the green with a little too much pace . It's a mentally draining golf course when it's this hard , lots of tired grinders .
The pin on #9 was way back on the easier right green , but that's the good news. Any second shot coming in flat will skip deep into the back bunker that doesn't typically see many visitors . What great fun , wish I was good enough to play in this event , I envy all those doing so !
Good luck to all the competitors.