Course History is more predictive here than at any other tournament. Players who miss the cut often do so repeatedly; players who finish Top 10 tend to do so repeatedly.

The USGA sets this course up to be the hardest test in golf. Narrow fairways, thick rough, and lightning-fast greens. 'Par is a good score.' This eliminates 'Birdie Machines' who spray the ball.

Links Golf. The primary defense of the course is the weather. Look at the 'Tee Time Draw'.