The world''s best golfers are preparing to face one of the toughest challenges of the year at this week''s PGA Championship.
Famously dubbed "the monster" by Ben Hogan after his US Open victory in 1951, Michigan''s Oakland Hills course remains just as unforgiving 57 years later.
In fact, recent alterations suggest that the venue could be more challenging than ever, with Wilson golfer Padraig Harrington this week attesting to the "severity" of the greens, as well as the course''s "punishing" length.
About 300 yards have been added to Oakland Hills for the final Major of the year, while 135 of the bunkers were deepened or relocated.
These changes mean that the course may surprise some of the returning European players with fond memories of their 2004 Ryder Cup victory.
Taylormade golfer Sergio Garcia, who featured in Bernhard Langer''s team that year, described the course as "probably the toughest PGA I''ve ever played".
Garcia has been paired with Nike golfer Antony Kim and Cobra''s Camilo Villegas for today''s opening round, while Harrington will play with Nike''s Trevor Immelman and Ping golfer Angel Cabrera.
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