The Clearwater Bay Open marks the first PGA Tour China event outside mainland China, so the majority of the 120-player field will be new to the layout, which was redesigned by Thomson Perrett in 2006. Rose, 36, said he expects competitors to face some tough tests as well as spectacular scenery at the RMB1.2 million event.
“It’s definitely a tricky golf course. Seaside courses differ from landlocked courses because of the conditions, as you’re a bit more exposed to the wind and the elements, so controlling your ball flight is a premium,” Rose said.
“But again, if you get a flat, calm day, you need to completely change your mind-set. A designer will typically design a course with the prevailing wind in mind, so if you get a wind that’s opposite to that, the course can play a little funky at times and you can get drivable par fours and stuff like that.
“It’s about being aggressive when you need to be and staying out of trouble. Obviously the ball tends to roll a little more so it’s about allowing for all of those little differences.”
Pages
Click here to see the published article.
