The DP World Tour returns to action after a two-week break following the Open Championship. They haven’t gone far. From Royal Portrush, where Scottie Scheffler lifted the fourth Major of his career, second this year, to Trump International Links in Aberdeen, a fairy-tale setting with breathtaking views. The Nexo Championship will be played on the Old Course.
The course is a beauty, though we could say it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Last week it made headlines because it was inaugurated by Donald Trump, President of the United States and owner of the entire complex. Afterwards, the PGA Championship of the Legends Tour was played there. The American (but they’re not used to playing on links and such…) Bo Van Pelt won, and only two players finished under par. Tough conditions.
In just two days of practice (Monday and Tuesday), the DP World Tour players have already perfectly understood why those high scores among the seniors. The course is very difficult, and moreover, the wind has blown extremely generously in the last 48 hours. In fact, yesterday it had to be closed, and players, caddies, and all the course staff were evacuated. Gusts exceeded 70 kilometres per hour, and all the tournament’s fixed structures were at risk of being blown away. Unplayable.
The wind has dropped a bit this Tuesday, although it has continued to blow very strongly. For example, on a par 3, one of the Spaniards present at this event lost two balls in a row hitting from the tee with a 9-iron. They weren’t bad shots… There are very complicated holes and even potentially problematic ones if it blows very hard. We’re talking about the 18th, 2nd, 8th, and 9th. Let’s say these haven’t been the best two days to gain confidence for those who come a bit tight or to find something to hold onto for those landing in Aberdeen a bit more lost.
The great difficulty lies in the fact that a good part of the tees are elevated, making it extremely difficult to control the ball’s flight when the wind blows strongly. Even low shots, the famous stingers, don’t work as they start from an elevated position. There’s no way to protect against the wind. At least not an easy way. Some even commented that a +5 was a good score today.
The good news for all the players participating in this tournament is that it will be played in much more manageable conditions starting Thursday. Firstly, because the forecast indicates that the wind’s intensity will decrease in the coming days (we’ll see if they get it right this time) and secondly, and more importantly, due to the course preparation by the DP World Tour. In practice, it’s played as difficult as possible, the longest, from the back tees, while from Thursday onwards, and depending on the conditions, some important adjustments are made. For example, it’s said that the tee on the 18th hole will be moved forward about 60 metres. Another thing.
Several players have already been told that the tees on the most problematic holes will be moved forward, especially on Thursday, the day when the most wind is expected during the tournament.
We have a strong presence of Spanish golfers at the Nexo Championship: Santi Tarrio, Albert Boneta, Nacho Elvira, Ángel Ayora, Eugenio Chacarra, Jorge Campillo, Rafa Cabrera, Iván Cantero, Pablo Ereño, Sebas García, Joel Moscatel, and Alfredo García Heredia.
