Is the Classic course easy fodder?

ENGLAND'S David Howell has termed the Classic course of Laguna National Golf and Country Club 'the scoring course'.

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee would not be surprised to see his fellow professionals shooting nine-under par there at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters, starting today.

The Classic will host this week's US$1.1 million (S$1.7 million) event for the first time.

Most golfers see the Classic as easy fodder. With its more forgiving fairways and lack of water obstacles, as compared to the Masters course, it seems the ideal place to pick up birdies.

After all, the par-72, 7,099-yard Classic is usually used for corporate tournaments, club competitions and members' social games.

The last time a professional tournament was held there was the Nations Cup in 2003.

The record field of 204 has caused organisers to use both the Classic and Masters courses for the first time since the tournament's inception in 2001. The event featured about 150-odd golfers previously.

But do not underestimate the Andy Dye-designed Classic course as it will pose some challenges of its own.

As Lam Chih Bing, whose home club is Laguna, put it: 'The Classic greens are more undulating. Depending on the pin placements, putting could get tricky.'

Added 2005 winner Nick Dougherty: 'The Classic course is tougher in some respects - it has some long par-fours on it. You can come unstuck there.

'I was disappointed that we were playing another course. I played my last eight rounds at the Masters course in 28-under-par.'

This time, the Englishman will have added incentives to maintain his fine form at the par-72, 7,112-yard Masters course.

Two cars and a 1kg gold bar have been offered as prizes for acing the Masters' eighth, 12th and 17th holes.

The car prize at the 180-yard eighth hole is a Geely CK, while a Skoda Superb is on offer for the 201-yard 17th.

A US$20,000 gold bar is the reward for a hole-in-one at the 185-yard 12th.

Playing on two courses will pose an added challenge.

Said Thai Chinarat Phadungsil: 'You have to remember double the information.'

But it is nothing new for those who have competed on the European Tour. For instance, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland is played on three courses.

Similarly, January's Joburg Open was played over two courses - at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

Organisers say the two-course move was to give more players from the European Tour and Asian Tour a chance to compete.

Owing to the large number of golfers, an additional 20-odd staff have been drafted in to help.

Said South Africa's Anton Haig: 'Having more players is good. You are giving more players a chance to win.'

Said defending champion Mardan Mamat: 'It's both an advantage and a disadvantage. More players can compete, but there's more pressure to perform, as only 65-odd golfers out of the 204 will make the cut.'

Meanwhile, Wales' Ian Woosnam felt unwell yesterday, but will still compete. However, 2002 champion Arjun Atwal of India will miss out, as he was unable to obtain his travel documents on time.

alfoo@sph.com.sg