All is vanity

It's not surprising the PGA ranked the 16th as the most difficult hole the touring pros faced in 1990. Obviously, the weather has something to do with its difficulty, but most of the disasters that happen here are caused by human vanity. What self-respecting pro would elect the easy way out and hit short and safe to the left?

The weather conditions are vital. When the pros played Cypress in February, 1990, the PGA reported: 'Thursday, it was mostly cloudy with rain showers. Friday, it was mostly sunny and breezy. Saturday it was overcast with winds up to 40mph. Play was suspended at 4.45pm with four groups unable to complete the round due to high wind. Golf balls would not remain still.'

The weather and the layout, or the 'beauty and the beast', make Cypress what it is. But the greens also leave an indelible impression on golfers. Tom Kite once said, They say everything breaks to the ocean at Cypress Point. Probably the Atlantic Ocean.'