Players had better be ready to gamble in Vegas Players in this year's Frys.com Open in Las Vegas had better bring their best game to the PGA TOUR's TPC Summerlin and TPC Canyons -- and be prepared to gamble. With an intriguing variety of risk-reward holes, an abundance of gorgeous but daunting hazards and some of the best playing conditions ever, both courses will give players a run for their money and fans a thrilling spectator experience. Here are some of the keys: TPC Canyons TPC Canyons' beautiful Bobby Weed-designed par-71, 7,063-yard layout features lush green parcels of manicured turf woven through a rugged tapestry of arroyos, barrancas and other natural features, with spectacular views of Red Rock Canyon. The course meanders over several hundred acres, but has only 110 acres of irrigated land. The undisturbed desert washes and other raw landscape features that make it one of the most visually stunning courses in Nevada also make it a stern test of shot-making, strategy and game management. Prevailing winds and plentiful elevation changes, combined with numerous forced carries, further complicate the challenge. ![]() Players will experience the ultimate in risk and reward at TPC Canyons. (WireImage) One of the most challenging holes facing players at TPC Canyons will be the 440-yard, par-4 third. It's a tough driving hole where players must carry more than 200 yards over a canyon from an elevated tee. The fairway slopes severely from right to left, and produces uneven lies. A large false front on the right leads to a low-lying area, making for a difficult up and down. A small bunker and grassy hills guard the left side of the green. During the 2006 tournament, this was the toughest green to hit on the course. In 142 approaches to the green, only two shots landed in the greenside bunker. The eighth hole and the back nine at TPC Canyons are particularly taxing, as well. The second hardest hole on the course, No. 8 is the longest par 4 at 458 yards. The hole plays uphill into the prevailing wind. A left-to-right tee shot near the bunkers affords the preferred approach. Bail-out is plentiful to the right, although players must beware of the small greenside bunker. In 2006, there were two more bogeys than birdies on this hole, and the fairway was the second hardest to hit on the course. Players better hit the green in regulation; only 12 of 32 players were successful in converting their scrambling attempts. No. 13 is a 423-yard par 4 -- aptly called "Death Valley" -- which features a blind tee shot over an arroyo to a fairway that angles toward the right. The arroyo runs the entire length down the right side, making it a classic risk-reward hole; the player must decide how much of the gorge to bite off. The green is most receptive to a right-to-left approach and has two levels. No. 14 is stunning but tricky. Nicknamed "Gorge-ous," the 365-yard par 4 features a blind tee shot with a slight dogleg right. Most players have the distance to make the green, but the risk-reward factor is too severe. From the tee, players must carry the entire canyon, which leads up to the green and surrounds it on three sides. No. 15 is a long par 5 measuring 612 yards. Today's players will have a chance of reaching the downhill hole in two if they hit a good drive. This hole played below par in last year's tournament, but was still ranked among the top 40 toughest par 5s on the PGA TOUR in 2006. This was also the only one of three par 5s on the course last year that did not have an eagle during the course of play. TPC Summerlin Equally as picturesque and demanding is the PGA TOUR's par-72, 7,234-yard private TPC Summerlin, where Weed cut an exquisite swath of land through canyons and arroyos with help from Fuzzy Zoeller. While natural desert washes are still prominent, the course features an abundance of honey mesquite trees, flowing pines, striking flora and lush Bent grass and Bermuda grass, along with numerous water features and magnificent vistas. True to its PGA TOUR pedigree, TPC Summerlin was designed as a stadium course expressly to provide fans with unrestricted views of tee shots, fairway approaches and putts, through strategically placed spectator mounding and natural amphitheaters -- all while maintaining the integrity of the course design. ![]() Scenic views can be found all over TPC Summerlin. (WireImage) A quartet of dramatic finishing holes at TPC Summerlin will undoubtedly prove to be among the most exciting for both players and spectators alike. Fans can expect big moves made over this stretch of terrain, which includes a driveable par 4, a reachable par 5, a challenging par 3 and a final 450-yard par 4, with water coming into play on three of the holes. Fans could easily see a four-shot swing on these holes, which could very well determine the champion on Sunday. No. 15 is a short, driveable par 4 measuring 320 yards, which most players will attempt to reach with their tee shot. If the tee shot misses the green, an up-and-down birdie is possible, but not easy, due to the severely elevated and undulated green -- which is surrounded by five bunkers and which regularly attract stray tee shots. Hillside seating behind the green will afford fans with a great vantage point for viewing incoming tee shots. No. 16 is a short, relatively downhill par 5 that is easily reachable in two shots. The green is guarded by water short of the green, and bunkers beyond. Only a mid-iron will be necessary for the second shot, with a birdie almost a certainty. The scoring swings will come with balls in the water as well as aggressive second shots hit close to the pin. Fans should see many birdies, but eagles and double bogeys will happen as well. Viewing for Nos. 16-18 will be dramatically enhanced this year from the new "The Hill," a 22,000 square-foot, multi-tiered luxury entertainment pavilion built into the natural hillside, featuring a variety of tented and open air terraces, a myriad of dining and entertainment options, and most importantly, premium views of all the action along with jumbatron televised tournament coverage. No. 17 is a very challenging par 3 where Jim Furyk pulled his tee shot left in the 2005 playoff to lose the tournament to Wes Short, Jr. The hole plays from 180-210 yards downhill, depending on the hole location, with the green guarded closely by a lake on the left and by bunkers on the right. A par is not difficult to come by, but birdies are very rare, should players need to make up ground. The hole will likely be the focal point of the tournament, especially on Sunday -- when one lucky fan will drive home a Ferrari valued at $350,000 if a hole-in-one is made during the final round. No. 18 is a very well-designed finishing hole measuring 450 yards which moves right to left off the tee. The green is protected on the left by the lake, with the Sunday hole location protected by the water. An aggressive tee shot with the driver can leave the player just a wedge to the very deep green from front to back. Pars are probable, but an aggressive tee shot and second shot could lead to a one-putt birdie and the eventual championship. Fans can watch the exhilarating conclusion of the tournament from "The Hill" left of the green, where they can also see the Las Vegas-style trophy presentation complete with beautiful show girls and sky divers descending onto the fairway. |