Price takes a stand against long game

The former Open champion Nick Price has re-ignited the debate about the future of golf by saying he refuses to play on courses 7,500 yards long. The 46-year-old Zimbabwean, one stroke behind the young American Charles Howell at the halfway stage of the Nissan Open here, still dreams of winning a fourth Major before he retires.

But he thinks the chances of it happening are fading fast not so much because of his age, but because of the way the sport is allowing technology to take over. "I'm concerned," said Price. "If the long hitters are driving well, they are making a mockery of courses. At Augusta they've eliminated probably 75 per cent of the field by lengthening the course. If we don't stop the equipment we're probably going to be playing on 8,000- yard courses in 15 years' time."

For the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, Price reckons that par fives do not really exist any more. "Even when they are 600 yards long they can get on in two now," he adds.

"It's kind of sad and I'm not going to play on courses 7,500 yards – no way. Deep down inside I don't think it's doing the game much good. I would be the happiest man alive if I could win another Major, but the Open is my only realistic shot at it."

That is because links golf is about far more than brute force – although it ought to be noted that the last three Open champions have been Woods, David Duval and Els.

The 23-year-old Howell, Rookie of the Year on the US Tour two seasons ago, finished off his second-round 65 here by reducing the 451-yard 18th hole at Riviera Country Club – downwind admittedly, but also uphill – to a drive and sand wedge.

The birdie, following one at the 17th, lifted him to eight under par. "I have a good feeling here," Howell said. "I hope it stays."

Price is seven under, with defending champion Len Mattiace one further back. Rich Beem, winner of the 2002 PGA Championship, is alone in fourth on 138. David Duval, Fred Funk, Duffy Waldorf, Trinidad's Stephen Ames and Korea's K. J. Choi are three under.

Woods is joint 10th on two under, a late double-bogey and bogey leaving the world No 1 with plenty of do to make it two wins out of two on his return from knee surgery. Victory here, though, would be particularly sweet for Woods.

He grew up in nearby Cypress and the Nissan Open was his first foray on to the PGA Tour when he was a 16-year-old amateur in 1992. He missed the cut and has never won the event.

"I've always wanted to win here," Woods said. "This is where it all started for me. It brings back a lot of great memories."

The leading European is the Swede Niclas Fasth on one under – he matched Howell's 65 – while Darren Clarke survived the halfway cut with nothing to spare on three over. Colin Montgomerie thought he would make it when he finished at lunchtime on four over, but six hours later discovered he had an unwanted weekend off. "People don't realise that when you're abroad and you miss the cut it's a long time before you play again," he said.

Normally the wait would be until Thursday, but it is at least only until Wednesday this time – when he has a date with Paul Lawrie in the first round of the Accenture World Matchplay Championship in San Diego.

Montgomerie signed a new club deal during the winter and admits that the move away from cavity-backed irons is going to take longer to get used to than he expected.

"I have not practised enough with them and I am not finding the middle of the club yet," he stated. "But don't get me wrong, it's a good change and I will."

Clarke, who qualified by the skin of his teeth, is facing the difficulty of employing the changes to his swing being made with coach Butch Harmon, to whom he has just returned.

"I'm getting caught between the old and the new, but the changes are going to improve me a lot," he said confidently.