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From Larry Fine, Reuters

Arnold Palmer says the essence of Oakmont remains unchanged since he first played the U.S. Open course as a 12-year-old some 56 years ago.

"The greens and surfaces have not been changed since this golf course was built," the honorary chairman of the 107th U.S. Open, starting on Thursday, told reporters when asked about the course created in 1904.

"I think that''s a very significant factor."

Some 4,000 trees have been removed in a major renovation begun in 1999, returning the layout to its original design as an inland links course -- so revered by golf officials that it will be hosting a record eighth U.S. Open tournament.

"As back in the days when I first came here there wasn''t a tree on this golf course. Zero. I was 12 years old and it was 1941, and it was beautiful," said Palmer.

"And it was something I had never experienced before, with no trees. It was truly an inland, links golf course and it played like one."

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