Both captains have course insight

– Royal Melbourne’s composite course has been a happy hunting ground for United States captain Tiger Woods and his Internationals counterpart Ernie Els, but both skippers will urge caution when their players tee off at the Presidents Cup.

An amalgam of 12 holes from the club’s West course and six from its East, players will be tempted to attack a 7 032-yard layout that features a number of holes vulnerable to long hitters.

The firm conditions of the “sandbelt” track mean risk-takers are invariably punished for the slightest of transgressions, however, ensuring strategy will be key as teams plot their way through the intrigue of matchplay.

“That firm turf is critical,” course superintendent Richard Forsyth said.

“There’s a bit of fire in the reaction of the ball. So if you don’t approach from the right spot, you won’t get it close to the pin.

“Only the very best shots are going to stay where they land.”

A number of players found that to their cost at the 2011 Presidents Cup at the venue, where the wind kicked up and made the greens flint-hard.

Birdies were at a premium, and Australian Adam Scott called it “carnage” as putts rolled off greens and settled 40-yards away.

Precision in iron-play and patience with playing partners will be vital, particularly if a breeze picks up.

With the West course designed by renowned architect Alister MacKenzie, players may see elements of the Scot’s work at Augusta National as they negotiate deep bunkers and greens with subtle slopes and speed.

Woods and Els are well-placed to share their insights with their teams, having previously faced off twice at Royal Melbourne in 1998 and 2011.

South African Els was part of the only Internationals victory in the 25-year history of the tournament 21 years ago, while Woods holed the winning putt when the United States won 19-15 in 2011.

Els holds the composite course record of 12-under-par 60 set in 2004, although the par score has since been reduced by a stroke to 71 and there have been changes to the layout.

Both Els and Woods visited last year to offer suggestions for the set-up and were, more or less, on the same page. –