Stewart thinks some will be happy to miss cut

US Open champion Payne Stewart has claimed players would be glad to miss the cut after Carnoustie played havoc with the world's top stars.

The 42-year-old American, fresh from claiming his third major at Pinehurst last month, battled to an eight over par 79 in the first round.

"When you have the best players in the world saying 79 is not a bad score then you know the score is difficult," Stewart said.

"With no wind out here the course would be very difficult but the way they've made it so narrow...well.

"This is the longest course we play on the Open rota and to add 16 to 17-yard wide fairways to par fours that are 470-480 yards long...is it over the top? I think that's being kind.

"The fairways are just too narrow. The landing area where you have to lay up on the sixth is 11 yards. You know, what are we trying to do here?

"If you don't keep the ball on the fairway you could injure yourself if you catch a bad lie in the rough.

"I read what Colin Montgomerie said yesterday about whoever wins this tournament is going to be the best player in the world but I don't think so.

"It's a great Championship and it means a lot to me and I'm just sorry that everybody is coming off the course and having these (bad) opinions.

"This is a wonderful golf course when played a little wider. You know you're going to have wind so I just don't understand it. It could actually be a place where people wish they'd missed the cut.

"I mean what did Sergio Garcia shoot today, 89? Was that because of inexperience or is he a bad player? I don't think either. It just beats you up out there.