Aitken On Old Course Changes***

The Scotsman's Mike Aitken offers the most complete explanation of changes to the Old Course in preparation for July's Open Championship. After explaining which holes will be lengthened, Aiken quotes Peter Dawson, who appears to contradict himself.

"We’re not trying to change the character of the Old Course," Dawson said. "We just want to reinstate the old decisions players had to make. There isn’t a parallel here to what’s happened at Augusta because we don’t think the Old Course particularly needs lengthening: it’s been proven many times it’s subtle enough to provide a good challenge."

So then, why are you lengthening the Old Course if it doesn't need lengthening?

Update***: John Huggan has more comments from Peter Dawson about the changes in this Golfobserver.com column.