The US Open is a controversial event, and Shinnecock Hills might be its most controversial venue.
Many fans appreciate that the US Open is supposed to be the toughest test in golf, and one that challenges the very best players in the world more than any other event of the year.
But others feel that the USGA is trying to embarrass the players, and they care more about the winning score than the winning player. US Opens have gotten out of hand in the past because of this.
And more than anywhere else, Shinnecock Hills has been the site of the most infamous US Opens in history. In 2004, they lost the course so badly that they had to water the greens between groups, and in 2018, the USGA publicly apologized for how difficult the golf course was.
Shinnecock is woven into the fabric of the US Open, but it splits opinion among players and fans. So, where does it rank among US Open golf courses for Adam Scott, who is about to play in his 100th straight major championship this week?
Adam Scott calls Shinnecock Hills his favorite US Open golf course
While the USGA’s mission of giving players the toughest test imaginable might not be popular with some, Scott appreciates the challenge. He said that while the USGA doesn’t always get it right, he likes that they are constantly pushing the boundaries with their setups.
And with that said, he said Shinnecock is his favourite US Open venue of the lot. Speaking to SiriusXM radio, Scott said, “Looking back on it all, although at some of them it was really tough playing some of these US Opens, and then challenging the setup to the extreme, I appreciate the fact that they’re willing to take a chance and push the tournament forward.
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“They’ve recognized that they haven’t nailed it every time, but I really do appreciate the USGA, and now they’ve anchored sites and adapted to the times today.
“And I think this is all moving in a great direction, and we’re back at Shinnecock here this year. In my opinion, maybe the best US Open venue. I think it looks like we’re just coming in and borrowing the course for the week. Nothing contrived.
“It’s going to be tough; it’s a tough course anyway. It’s going to be a great week and they’ve got a good strategy moving forward.”
Matt Fitzpatrick gives honest thoughts on USGA’s Shinnecock setup
The last time the US Open was played at Shinnecock, things got out of hand. They made the golf course so challenging on Saturday that the players complained, and the USGA had to apologize and water the greens all night long.
Most of the players believe the USGA lost the golf course that day, but not Matt Fitzpatrick. Like Scott, the Englishman wants to be properly tested this week.
Speaking before this year’s US Open, he said, “I don’t particularly like playing birdie-fests.
“I don’t think it’s as enjoyable as having to — take today on the 11th hole, for example, the wind is pumping in off the left, and I’ve chipped a 5-iron in there. If there’s no wind there, you might be hitting 9-iron or whatever.
“To me, I feel like it’s more of a test of controlling your ball if it is windy, if it is firm. If it’s firm — I said it here last time. Obviously, there was a big — what’s the right word — meltdown of, oh, they’ve lost the golf course, they’ve lost the golf course.
“I never believed they lost it. I don’t think they lost the golf course at all here. I think, for me, it was difficult, and the strength of this golf course is greens and the difficulty of the greens.
“But I do believe, aside from maybe 10 and 11, if you miss the greens in the right spots and do your homework, that you have opportunities to get up-and-down still. I feel like that is a patience thing. That is a skill in course managing, in hitting good shots that are on the green in those tough times.
“I think that for me — this golf course, I think when it is really tough like that, I enjoy that challenge because you have to do your homework, and you have to hit good shots, and that’s what I think any good golf tournament should require.”
That’s exactly the type of attitude you need to go into this tournament, and it’s why Fitzpatrick is one of the favourites this week.
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