The 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills has the chance to be the most difficult major championship in years.
Shinnecock Hills is one of the toughest tests in golf at the best of times, but the weather forecast for this week’s US Open threatens to make the golf course unplayable.
Gusts of 40 mph are expected to accompany the rain during Thursday’s play, which borders on unplayable conditions for the afternoon wave. This means the USGA has been forced into a series of decisions to ensure the tournament will go ahead as planned.
The USGA admitted they could “brutalize” Shinnecock over the next few days, but they have opted to set up the golf course to have tough, but fair, conditions.
The changes the USGA have made to Shinnecock Hills due to extreme winds
The USGA has historically tried to push golf courses to the limit at US Opens to create the most difficult test possible for the best players in the world. That isn’t the case this year.
Instead, because of the conditions, the USGA has taken the responsible decision to make a fair test for the players, to ensure the golf course is playable.
The Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis explained the changes the USGA has made: “The USGA, in preparation for the opening round with this challenging forecast, has done some things to the golf course.
“Number one, they have slowed down the greens. Now the practice round speeds have been around 11.5 this week. Tomorrow, they will be slowed significantly to 10.5, so they’re losing a foot on the stimpmeter. Players will have to adjust.
“They will also syringe or water the greens, definitely between the morning wave and the afternoon wave. And depending on the wind speeds and drying the greens out, they may water even more.
“It’s not only to slow the greens down, but to keep the greens healthy. Because the winds will dry out the leaves on these poa annua greens, and you want to keep them healthy and hydrated.
“Finally, the USGA will have some conservative hole locations because of the intensity of the wind.”
Michael Kim doesn’t think he’ll be able to play on Thursday
Michael Kim is in the afternoon wave, which will be hit hardest by the weather. And looking at the forecast a day before he gets his US Open underway, he was not confident that his round would be uninterrupted on Thursday.
He posted to X, “I don’t think we’ll be able to play if it actually gusts 35+ mph. But we’ll see”.
Lewis spoke to the USGA about what it would take for them to suspend play on Thursday, and they are taking a sensible approach.
The USGA told Lewis, “If there’s one hole where a ball is oscillating or moving, they may just wait it out, but if you have several holes throughout the golf course where balls are moving, then they will likely suspend play.”
Lewis continued, “Well, a plan is in place for the USGA, and they hope this plan works so they can have a fair US Open.”
The USGA has been accused of being reckless with their setups over the years, but so far in 2026, that hasn’t been the case. Hopefully, their precautions will pay off, and we’ll get a full day of action.
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