I don't agree that it will help European players if the conditions are similar to that of a links course. The Americans have a very good record at the Open Championship and often do much better than us. In fact I'd say there have been just as many if not more American winners as there have been European recently. If it wasn't for Ireland, Europe would of had none this century. The Americans have had Tiger, Phil, Curtis, Cink, Duval and Hamilton all this century. Also don't forget the best Links player of all time Tom Watson was also American. So whilst we might like to think we are better at links golf than they are, results suggest otherwise
I think Dustin Johnson's withdrawal was as much frustration as it was being ill. At the time he was +3 having bogeyed the first 3 holes. They never seem to pull out when they start well. Tiger Woods does it all the time faking that his backs gone when he's well over par. So I wouldn't be put off Johnson for that reason. The one thing that would put me off Johnson is his nerve, he's probably as good as anyone in practice but when the pressures on he's as bad a choker as there is in the game today. I remember he led the US Open by 4 shots going into the final round against McDowell, and after 2 holes McDowell was 1 ahead I backed Johnson the other week in Texas aswell, as the smaller tournaments don't normally unnerve him, and he hit the lead in the final round, only to shoot an 8 on the next par 4, driving it out of bounds a couple of times, so I've vowed not to back him again, as he's a nervous wreck in contention. On paper though, the long, wide course should play to his strengths
