Natadola Bay is a popular destination for tourists who are known to seek refuge among the tropical gardens along Fiji's largest island, but for 154 professional golfers it could soon become a venue from hell.
The picturesque Natadola Bay Golf Course is home to the $1.1 million Fiji International that gets underway on Thursday, but the Vijay Singh-designed course is notorious for its gale-force winds.
And when it blows there is no place to hide.
"It's an incredible place, the setting is unbelievable but the wind is playing havoc right now," said Singh, a former world No.1. "I have talked to the officials and we need to slow the greens down a lot, last year it was ok but we were still being blown around.
"This year it's a little bit stronger and it's more exposed to some of the greens. I think if the greens are slow it will be more enjoyable to play on this course."
Tournament Operations Manager for the PGA Tour of Australasia, Graeme Scott, agreed with Singh, adding the issue around the strength of the gusts was of most concern to tournament organisers.
"The general wind speeds are acceptable, it's when we get severe wind gusts that we've got the potential for balls to start moving on the green. As soon as balls start moving we have to start considering a suspension to play.
"The wind also affects the playing length of some holes, but we do have the opportunity to move some tees forward if required," he added.
Australia's charge at the event will be led by James Nitties, who won the South Pacific Open Championship two weeks ago.
Like the others, the New South Welshman is wary of the wind factor.
"The course is amazing, the greens are pure, the fairway's pure but if it blows like it did today consistently there could be some large scores shot around here.
"There's no relief out there on the golf course, it really just beats you up non-stop from hole one to hole 18, but I'm actually really excited and looking forward to the challenge."
World No.16 Matt Kuchar is the highest-ranked player in the field and will line up alongside a host of Australians including Matthew Millar, who went head to head with Nitties in the South Pacific, Mathew Goggin, Peter O'Malley, Antonia Murdaca, Stephen Dartnall and defending champion Steven Jeffress.
Share
