Defenseless

After a 39-year absence the British Open returned to Hoylake in 2006. In 1967 the par-72 layout played to a stroke average of 75.01. But in '06, as a result of warm weather and no wind, the scoring average plummeted to 72.37. It remains the lowest scoring average in relation to par at an Open Championship since 1991 at Royal Birkdale.

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Year	Course	Par	Scoring Avg.	Rounds Under Par
2006	Hoylake	72	72.37	190
2000	St. Andrews	72	72.39	185
2005	St. Andrews	72	72.67	183
1996	Royal Lytham	71	71.85	151
2010	St. Andrews	72	73.07	161
1992	Muirfield	71	72.28	132

PHOTO

DAVID CANNON/R&A/GETTY IMAGES (HOYLAKE)

Hot Links Hoylake played so firm and fast in 2006 that Tiger Woods only hit driver once en route to victory.