KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA | When Justin Thomas looked at the Ocean Course scorecard for the PGA Championship someone sent him last week, he laughed out loud.
The scorecard yardage has the front nine playing 3,815 yards and the back nine playing 4,061 yards. Yes, more than 4,000 yards for nine holes.
The total scorecard yardage is 7,876, giving the Ocean Course the distinction – probably temporary – of being the longest course in major championship history.
“They can’t possibly play it that long,” Thomas said, perhaps hopefully.
He’s right, as big as the scorecard numbers are, that’s all they are – numbers. That can be manipulated like a good accountant can work a spreadsheet.
“I haven’t looked at the length of a golf course since junior golf,” Jordan Spieth said.
Still, the Ocean Course numbers draw attention like lemon-colored socks with a tuxedo.
The par-3 17th hole at the Ocean Course Photo: Gary Kellner, PGA of America via Getty Images
The number that ultimately matters is the wind speed. The higher it ...
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