ZealousGolfer.com

The R&A's setup of Carnoustie for the 1999 Open Championship faced criticism and controversy comparable to that of the USGA's constant design battles. The major problem: Paul Lawrie won. The course set up in a manner promoting luck over skill, as few fairways could be viewed from the tee box, and the area around the greens offered no reward to talented short game artists.

Thus, the Open allowed less skilled players to enjoy the top scores as the bigger names struggled. Of course, Jean van de Velde's epic 18th hole struggle will always be remembered, but similar struggles existed all over the course. To some extent, the course was simply not fair.

In 2007, many of the tee boxes have been changed to allow for easier tee shots. Additionally, the fairways have been widened, and the danger around greens scaled back. While Carnoustie will continue to be a tough test of golf, at least this time the stars will shine.