The USGA have come under fire yet again at Shinnecock Hills.
In both 2004 and 2018, the last two times Shinnecock has hosted the US Open, the USGA have been accused of totally mismanaging the golf course. Both times they have lost control of the conditions, allowing the wind and sun to bake out the greens, making them unplayable.
These two events were labelled a farce, as players couldn’t hold the greens with their approaches, and even three foot putts threatened to roll off the surface entirely.
So in 2026, the USGA have gone the opposite way. Conditions were far easier on the opening day of this year’s event, as Wyndham Clark finished his day at six under par. Fans have complained that the course is too easy, but the USGA were forced into this decision, and they got it exactly right.
Why the USGA got the setup at Shinnecock exactly right
The USGA attempted to be sensible to start the 2026 US Open.
Before Thursday’s play, gusts of up 40 mph were expected at Shinnecock Hills. There were genuine concerns that play would be suspended, so the USGA lowered the green speeds to 10.5 on the stimpmeter to make sure the balls could hold the green.
And it’s a good job they did. During the morning’s play, balls were threatening to move thanks to the windy conditions. It was right on the edge, and the USGA nailed it. Rory McIlroy’s one-under in the morning wave was an excellent score.
What have you made of the setup on Thursday at the US Open?
Shinnecock Hills has been brutal…
Unfortunately, the wind died in the afternoon, and suddenly this softer course, which was setup this way to combat the wind, was gettable. Clark shot the lights out to take a four stroke lead, and we do not have a typical US Open leaderboard.
But what else could the USGA have done? If the greens were any firmer, then play would have been suspended in the morning, and they would have been criticised for being reckless. Instead, they made sure the golf course was playable, and they’re criticised anyway. They simply got unlucky that the wind died down.
And ultimately, while Clark is six under, the next closest player is two under par. It’s not like this is a birdie fest. Right now, the USGA have the ability to ramp up the difficulty if they need to, so let’s hold off on judging them until the week is done.
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