Nissan Open - Price has his limits

Former Open champion Nick Price has re-ignited the debate about the future of golf – by saying he refuses to play on courses 7,500 yards long.

Darren Clarke survived the halfway cut with nothing to spare on three over.

The 46-year-old Zimbabwean Price, one stroke behind young American Charles Howell at the halfway stage of the Nissan Open in Los Angeles, still dreams of winning a fourth major before he retires.

But he thinks the chances of it happening are fading fast not so much because of his age, but by the way the sport is allowing technology to take over.

“I’m concerned,” said Price. “If the long-hitters are driving well they are making a mockery of courses.

“At Augusta (venue of the Masters each April) they’ve eliminated probably 75% of the field by lengthening the course and if we don’t stop the equipment we’re probably going to be playing on courses 8,000 yards long in 15 years’ time.”

For the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, Price reckons that par fives do not really exist any more. “Even when they’re 600 yards long they can get on in two now,” he adds.

“It’s kind of sad and I’m not going to play on courses 7,500 yards – no way. Deep down inside I don’t think it’s doing the game much good.

“I’d be the happiest man alive if I could win another major, but the Open is my only realistic shot at it.”

That is because links golf is about far more than brute force – although it ought to be noted that the last three winners have been Woods, David Duval and Els.

The 23-year-old Howell, Rookie of the Year on the US Tour two seasons ago, finished off a second round 65 yesterday by reducing the 451-yard 18th hole at Riviera Country Club – downwind admittedly, but also uphill – to a drive and sand wedge.

The birdie lifted him to eight under par, with Price on seven under and defending champion Len Mattiace one further back.

Woods is joint 10th on two under, a late double bogey and bogey leaving the world number one with plenty of do to make it two wins out of two on his return from knee surgery.

The leading European is Ryder Cup Swede Niclas Fasth on one under – he matched Howell’s 65 for that.

Colin Montgomerie thought he would make it when he finished at lunchtime on four over, but six hours later discovered he had an unwanted weekend off.