CARMEL -
Leave it to a Shark to know his waters, even after nearly two decades of being away.
"We're basically all out there where we used to be 20 years ago," said Greg Norman, who played on the Crooked Stick course Wednesday as he did back during the 1991 PGA Championships held at the same place.
What has changed nearly 18 years later heading into the US Senior Open at the golf course is technology to which the players now have, especially to accurately deal with the long distances the Pete Dye designed course has.
Read: A look back at the 1991 PGA Championship
It played into the hands of an unknown power ball striker named John Daly in 1991, as he rode his long drives to the upset win in the PGA Championships.
"On the 14th hole, John Daly was the only one who could carry the creek on the left side, now we pretty much all care the creek on the left," said Norman of the change from 1991. "It's a sign of the times, technology has helped us advance from '91 to here we are, 18 years later."
Watch: A tour of the 14th Hole at Crooked Stick
Not that it makes the course any easier, according to the two-time British Open champion. He says the course, as intended by Dye, tends to show
"He gradually makes things more difficult as the day goes on," said Greg Norman Wednesday following his practice round at Crooked Stick. "You've got to keep you head on the right way and make sure you're game is strong."
"That's the art of a great designer, to challenge you mentally and physically."
Read: Carmel, Connersville Golfers Hope For Success at US Senior Open
Also by nature over the past few days, as heavy rain soaked the course on Tuesday night and then did so again on Wednesday, but showed no wear of it during practice rounds.
"The golf course was perfect, so I don't see any concerns," said Norman of the rain-which is predicted to come in and out during the week.
See: IndySportsNation.com's Special US Senior Open Section
Two-time senior open champ Hale Irwin was in agreement with Norman on the course condition and believes the pin placements and small changes to the course have helped to spur on competition.
"They've set it up in a fair way, as difficult of a course it is can only be so fair to you, so you have to expect that there will be some problems out there," said Irwin of the course. "I have heard no grumbling in the locker room, so that's a good sign.
"We're basically all out there where we used to be 20 years ago," said Greg Norman, who played on the Crooked Stick course Wednesday as he did back during the 1991 PGA Championships held at the same place.
What has changed nearly 18 years later heading into the US Senior Open at the golf course is technology to which the players now have, especially to accurately deal with the long distances the Pete Dye designed course has.
Read: A look back at the 1991 PGA Championship
It played into the hands of an unknown power ball striker named John Daly in 1991, as he rode his long drives to the upset win in the PGA Championships.
"On the 14th hole, John Daly was the only one who could carry the creek on the left side, now we pretty much all care the creek on the left," said Norman of the change from 1991. "It's a sign of the times, technology has helped us advance from '91 to here we are, 18 years later."
Watch: A tour of the 14th Hole at Crooked Stick
Not that it makes the course any easier, according to the two-time British Open champion. He says the course, as intended by Dye, tends to show
"He gradually makes things more difficult as the day goes on," said Greg Norman Wednesday following his practice round at Crooked Stick. "You've got to keep you head on the right way and make sure you're game is strong."
"That's the art of a great designer, to challenge you mentally and physically."
Read: Carmel, Connersville Golfers Hope For Success at US Senior Open
Also by nature over the past few days, as heavy rain soaked the course on Tuesday night and then did so again on Wednesday, but showed no wear of it during practice rounds.
"The golf course was perfect, so I don't see any concerns," said Norman of the rain-which is predicted to come in and out during the week.
See: IndySportsNation.com's Special US Senior Open Section
Two-time senior open champ Hale Irwin was in agreement with Norman on the course condition and believes the pin placements and small changes to the course have helped to spur on competition.
"They've set it up in a fair way, as difficult of a course it is can only be so fair to you, so you have to expect that there will be some problems out there," said Irwin of the course. "I have heard no grumbling in the locker room, so that's a good sign.
