Why is it so difficult? The recent heatwave in the UK has resulted in baked fairways that will leave the ball running faster. The fairways, with their humps and hollows, pot bunkers, thick rough, gorse and, above all, a preeminent wind offer a distinct challenge to some of the other perfected courses around the world.

Is Carnoustie the hardest golf course?

You might even begin to wonder if the townsfolk are attempting to keep the historic links all to themselves. This was my first experience of playing an Open venue, potentially a foolish move as Carnoustie is regarded as the toughest course on the Open rota and, indeed, one of the hardest in the world.

How many bunkers does Carnoustie?

Spare the exaggeration, but it is daunting to think that there are 112 bunkers that dot this 7.402 yard course. A flight above the Angus coast can make you wonder if you are looking down on an uneven collection of deep UFO circles.