Phil Mickelson thinks the Atlanta Athletic Club is set up well to play host to the PGA Championship. However, he made it quite clear that in its present condition, following the renovations, it is not a course suited to the average golfer.
"It's great for the PGA. It's terrific. It's in great shape. It's difficult. It's challenging," said Mickelson following his round of 1-over 71.
"[But] In my opinion, this is a great example again of how modern architecture is killing the participation of the sport because the average guy just can't play it.
"You have water in front and you have a bunker behind, and you give the player no avenue to run a shot up, and the 7th hole, where there is not any water; there's a big bunker in front and right of the green, instead of helping the player get it on to the green, it goes down into the lower area, as does the left side," he explained.
"Now, for us out here, it doesn't make a bit of difference, because we are going to fly the ball to the green either way. And that's why I say it's great for the championship."
As the first round was winding down, three of the top six hardest holes on the course were on the back nine - No. 15, No. 16 and No. 18, which was playing as the hardest hole on the day. Mickelson says if that trend continues, the final hours in Sunday's final round could make for an fantastic finish.
"I think it's going to be exciting to watch," said Mickelson. "You're going to see a lot of calamity coming down the stretch."
"They [the final four holes] are very difficult," added the 2001 runner-up when the tournament was last played here. "You have to get your birdies early because the last four holes, you're unlikely to make them there."