R&A thrilled with changes

TIGER WOODS can expect to face the exact same Old Course when he tries to win at St Andrews for a third time — almost certainly in 2010.

While Augusta National has already announced a further lengthening for next year's Masters, Open championship officials yesterday revealed there were unlikely to be further changes made to the home of golf in the foreseeable future.

Five new tees added 164 yards after the 2000 event when Woods triumphed by eight with a major championship record 19-under-par.

The world number one's winning score this time was 14 under and yet he still triumphed by five.

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A Club, believes the second-biggest crowds in Open history, 223,000 - could have witnessed a new record in other conditions.

But Woods was the only player to finish in double figures and that despite their being four driveable par fours.

The new tees were at the second, fourth, 12th, 13th and 14th and Dawson commented: "I think the changes were a success and the Old Course stood the test.

"If there was a disappointment it was that we didn't get the other wind, which would have brought the changes out in more stark contrast.

"With the wind we had, the players could still reach the (par five) 14th in two, while on the 12th they never really had to make a decision (whether to lay up short of the new bunkers).

"But we are very happy with the guys at the top of the leaderboard and very happy with the scoring. I did expect the record to be challenged, if not broken, but if you take the strict par as being 68 on that reckoning nobody broke par."

Martin Kippax, chairman of the championship committee, stated: "I don't see there is any way we are going to be stretching the Old Course any more. She is as she is."

The Open is staged at Hoylake near Liverpool next year for the first time since 1967, then it will be at Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale.

The venue for 2009 is likely to be Turnberry, with St Andrews earmarked for 2010 as it will be the 150th anniversary of the first Open.

Jack Nicklaus, who made his major farewell last week, and Gary Player are among those who have voiced their concerns about the advances in technology. But the R&A, who signed a new five-year deal with the BBC to continue covering the Open until 2011, have been collecting data and believe their wish for the present situation to plateau has been realised.

"We and the United States Golf Association wanted a line drawn in the sand and hitting distances have plateaued. This is definitely happening all this discussion that players are hitting the ball further is not true."

Ball manufacturers have nevertheless been asked to develop prototype balls that travel 15 and 25 yards less so governing bodies can take quick action if they feel it necessary.