Can Old Course Stand Test?

ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND | For centuries now, the Old Course has been here, wind-blown and stark, a North Star of design brilliance, asking the same age-old questions of players whether they’re tourists or tour professionals.

Avoid the bunkers?

Essential.

Handle the wind?

It’s not a choice.

Accept its quirks?

That’s the charm.

As the 150th Open Championship comes to life this week, another familiar question has been raised:

Can the Old Course, a modest-by-modern-standards 7,300 yards, stand up to today’s power game?

“Yes, even with the advancements in technology, this golf course still stands the test of time,” said Tiger Woods, who won two of his three Claret Jugs here.

If the weather vane atop the clubhouse goes still, 59 could come into play. Photo: Richard Sellers, PA Images via Getty Images

Still, if the wind goes quiet this week – the forecast calls for steady breezes in the 15-mph range, with a few stronger gusts after windy p...