Softer greens could be the only welcome sign for golfers when the Australian PGA tees off on Thursday morning at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
Blustery and hot conditions are forecast, with the mercury set to top 30-degrees on each of the four days of the tournament.
It could make for unrelenting afternoon play, particularly on the revamped back nine where the 13th and 18th hole proved problematic for golfers last year.
But after two hit outs on the course, world No.7 Adam Scott said competitors would get some reprieve on the greens, with the ball more likely to hold in comparison with previous years.
"They certainly seem to have a little water in them and I think that's probably a good thing with the winds expected to get up," he said.
"There's a lot more chance of holding them obviously and guys can fire at the pins a little bit more."
Getting the ball to the green could prove challenging enough once the wind picks up.
Australian Marc Leishman, desperate to push himself back into the world top 50 with a strong result, is anticipating a more conservative approach to the course.
He missed the tournament after its back-nine revamp last year, but has already described the new layout as being "a little more severe".
"It will be important to hit fairways and hit good shots," he said.
"If you're just a little bit off, you'll get punished pretty severely."
Having grown up in the warm conditions of Perth, the atmosphere could suit Curtis Luck, as he aims to pick up a European Tour card for when he turns professional, more than likely after next year's US Masters.
He'll play alongside Scott on Thursday morning - teeing off at 6.10am (AEST) - but is more concerned about accuracy on the green, accepting that the low chipping areas around them could be difficult.
"You've got to put yourself on the right spot on the fairways so that you're hitting plenty of the greens this week," the West Australian said.
"I think it could get a little messy around the greens if you're not having a great ball-striking week."
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