At 7,400 yards, the South Course at Firestone Country Club is the longest par 70 on the PGA TOUR. Given the talent in the field at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, it better be.
The planet's elite -- minus Webb Simpson, who remains with his family after his wife gave birth to the couple's second child over the weekend -- descends on Akron, Ohio this week. Seventy-eight qualifiers will vie for the Gary Player Cup on what is one of the most consistent golf courses they'll play all year.
Firestone averaged 70.174 strokes a year ago, very much in line with its split in each of the last three years. Save one recent downpour, hot and dry conditions have baked the turf for weeks. Therefore, it should play shorter than usual tee to green. Sizable putting surfaces were already expected to run at least 13 on the Stimpmeter. This, of course, plays right into the hands of the touring pros that love it firm and fast.
Each nine at Firestone plays to a par 70, the but par-5s are not cut from the same cloth. No. 2 is a birdie hole (averaging 4.556 in 2011), albeit with prerequisites to shape the tee ball from right to left as well as land approaches beyond the false front. The 16th is the signature hole, not to mention the longest par 5 on the PGA TOUR. Capable of stretching 667 yards, it surrendered a scoring average of 4.938 a year ago, 11th-most difficult of 163 par-5s.
In drought conditions, rough on a golf course thins out. That could favor the longest hitters since they might find a little grab on their irons from lies off the fairway. Given its par and potentially lightning-quick greens, Firestone is a course that the uninitiated should allow to come to them. If attacked, it will bite back. Experience is just as important as a strong overall game.
The weather forecast includes an increasing threat for rain and storms into the weekend. Thursday and probably Friday are in the clear. Temperatures will rise into the mid- to upper 80s throughout. Winds should be a non-factor until a possible freshening in the final round.
The planet's elite -- minus Webb Simpson, who remains with his family after his wife gave birth to the couple's second child over the weekend -- descends on Akron, Ohio this week. Seventy-eight qualifiers will vie for the Gary Player Cup on what is one of the most consistent golf courses they'll play all year.
Firestone averaged 70.174 strokes a year ago, very much in line with its split in each of the last three years. Save one recent downpour, hot and dry conditions have baked the turf for weeks. Therefore, it should play shorter than usual tee to green. Sizable putting surfaces were already expected to run at least 13 on the Stimpmeter. This, of course, plays right into the hands of the touring pros that love it firm and fast.
Each nine at Firestone plays to a par 70, the but par-5s are not cut from the same cloth. No. 2 is a birdie hole (averaging 4.556 in 2011), albeit with prerequisites to shape the tee ball from right to left as well as land approaches beyond the false front. The 16th is the signature hole, not to mention the longest par 5 on the PGA TOUR. Capable of stretching 667 yards, it surrendered a scoring average of 4.938 a year ago, 11th-most difficult of 163 par-5s.
In drought conditions, rough on a golf course thins out. That could favor the longest hitters since they might find a little grab on their irons from lies off the fairway. Given its par and potentially lightning-quick greens, Firestone is a course that the uninitiated should allow to come to them. If attacked, it will bite back. Experience is just as important as a strong overall game.
The weather forecast includes an increasing threat for rain and storms into the weekend. Thursday and probably Friday are in the clear. Temperatures will rise into the mid- to upper 80s throughout. Winds should be a non-factor until a possible freshening in the final round.
