R&A Peter Dawson admitted a number of leading contenders had complained about the difficulty of the 112 sand obstacles on the Old Course.

"We had some comments and we like to think we listened to them," he conceded.

Among those who were leading the complaints included Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke who was having problems getting out of the bunkers.

"I think they are too severe," said Clarke.

"They have gone a bit silly with them, with the severity of the faces. You should always be able to at least get out but there are some here where if you get under the lips you cannot get a shot.

"I understand that standards are getting better, the technology is improving and that they want to keep scores down. I agree with trying to make it difficult but I think they have gone too far.

"With the course playing as fast as it is balls aren't going to trickle in, they're going to run in and get lodged in unplayable positions."

Former Open champion Jack Nickalus was in full agreement with the Ulsterman.

"They're very, very, very difficult, toughest I've ever seen," said Nicklaus.

"Nobody is going to hit any ball out of any fairway bunker onto the green. You're going to spend a lot of time in the bunkers if you get in one."

Reshaped

The bunkers which had been reshaped for the Championships were not to the liking of another former champion and St Andrews winner, Nick Faldo.

"Unbelievable. It is a wall. They are absolutely incredible. Even playing out backwards is a hell of a good shot if you get a lip your way both ways," said Faldo.