OPEN TEES MAY BE MOVED FORWARD IF THE WINDS CONTINUE

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By PAUL KELSO
Strong winds currently hitting the Kent coast may prompt Open Championship organisers to move some of the most challenging tees at Royal St George’s forward for tomorrow’s opening round.

With a northerly wind gusting up to 30mph as players including Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke played their final Open practice round this morning, R and A chief executive Peter Dawson said that the tees on the seventh and 11th holes could be brought forward.
The seventh features a long carry over rough that, playing upwind, left some players struggling to reach the fairway on Tuesday, while the short par-three 11th is playing considerably longer than its 243 yards.
"We informed the players at the start of the week that we may move some tees forward, and if this wind remains as it is we will consider it," Dawson said.
"The back tee at the seventh was always going to be challenging given that it is 220 yards to reach the fairway, but yesterday some players were having great difficulty reaching it.
"The seventh and the 11th will be strong candidates to be moved forward if the wind remains as it is. I am a firm believer that players should be able to reach the fairways and the par threes."
Dawson said he was happy with the course set-up and believed that it provided a strategic test that the players would struggle to overcome.
"I don’t think we will get a lot of low-scoring this year, particularly if the wind remains strong."
Dawson also said that the R&A has provided a book of remembrance to Seve Ballasteros for the players to sign, and that all the players in the field had done so, with many leaving messages in tribute to the three-time Open winner who died earlier this year.