British Open organisers have came under fire from several players frustrated with the setup of a fiery Muirfield course.
A spell of hot, sunny weather in recent weeks had most players expecting to course to be firm and quick but many still struggled to hold up the ball on lighting-fast greens during the opening round.
American veteran Phil Mickelson called on golf’s governing body The Royal & Ancient to “let go of their ego”, feeling some of the pin placements were unreasonable in the conditions.
Clubhouse leader Zach Johnson said he was “shocked” by the pin positions while Englishman Ian Poulter, who dropped four shots in the last five holes in carding a one-over-par 72, likened the setup on the 18th green to mini-golf.
Poulter said on Twitter: “Unfortunately the guys this afternoon will struggle with a few pin positions. 8th hole is a joke, 18th needs a windmill and clown face.”
Mickelson, who three-putted the 18th to card a two-under 69, was happy to have his round out of the way before conditions got tougher in the afternoon sun.
“(Hole) number eight is probably the worst one that you’ll see,” he said.
“The ball won’t stop on the eighth until it collects in a little level area about eight feet away.
“Very difficult conditions and playing early gave us at least a fighting chance.
“…. Hopefully they (the R&A) will let go of their ego and set it up reasonable but you just never know.”
Australian Adam Scott, who also had a three-putt on the final green as he shot an even-par 71, felt the pin placements were “borderline”.
“Eighteen is pretty close. It’s just so dry, it’s like there’s no friction when the ball rolls, so it’s getting pretty spooky out there.” said Scott, an afternoon finisher.
Even Australian outsider John Wade, used to slick putting surfaces at Royal Melbourne, was taken aback by the fierce greens.
“It’s pretty easy to get one going and hit the hole again and have a bunch of putts that make you look a bit stupid,” the 45-year-old said after shooting an encouraging 74 despite playing little competitive golf recently.
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said the course was “far from unplayable”, although he admitted the players’ comments would be taken on board heading into the second round.