PETER MUHLY / AFP/Getty Images

Groundsmen prepare the Ailsa Golf Course at Turnberry in Scotland for the 2009 British Open.

Not everything about Turnberry is a mystery.

The course is some 300 yards longer than the last time it held the British Open. Whoever shoots the lowest score will have his name engraved on the silver claret jug. And Tiger Woods has a chance to win, if only because he is playing this year.

Woods missed his first major as a professional last year at Royal Birkdale because of season-ending knee surgery. He has never seen Turnberry, which last held the British Open the year before Woods became eligible. The world's No. 1 player does not hold a major title for the first time since 2004, yet he looks as though that might be about a change the way he won at Congressional last week.

Then again, Woods also won his final tournament before the Masters and U.S. Open, and both times he tied for sixth.

His only recollection of Turnberry comes from highlights, especially the "Duel in the Sun" between Watson and Nicklaus, although he has not seen enough to appreciate what the course is like or how it plays.

It might not matter because of the changes.

Turnberry has been lengthened substantially, typical of most courses this decade at the majors, with some new bunkers in strategic spots along the fairway and the rerouting of the 16th hole to bring the burn into play.

"I don't go along with the fact it's one of the easier ones," R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said. "We had a couple of them in benign weather. With the course changes we've had, I would put it up there with the best."

Early scouting reports seem to suggest as much.

Ernie Els played a few practice rounds at Turnberry a week before the British Open and was amazed at how lush the grass was, especially outside the fairways. Britain has gone through a wet spring, allowing grass to grow, and yet the last month has turned dry. That could make for the ultimate test of thick rough and firm fairways.

"That could be quite a beast if the wind comes up," Els said.

Montgomerie told even more harrowing tales. His junior academy is located at Turnberry, and the Scot is a frequent visitor. Earlier this month, he said the club had a stroke-play competition for Turnberry members, allowing 150 of its best players on the Ailsa Course.

The numbers were staggering — not scores, but lost balls in the high grass.

"They left 480 golf balls on the golf course," he said. "That proves, avoid the rough at all costs."

What kept Turnberry out of the rotation for 15 year was the growth of the British Open and the traffic jam on the one road leading to the golf course. Officials have added more roads, which was more important than adding yardage to Turnberry.

Once there, it will be hard not to be impressed with the views — inside and outside the ropes.

"It's a scenically stunning course," Dawson said. "At the same time, it's a great test of golf."