Shinnecock Hills played easier than many expected on day one of the US Open.
Sure, the wind and cool air made the golf course play very tricky for the early starters.
However, as the afternoon wave began their rounds, the wind died down and the players began to take advantage of the extremely soft greens.
The USGA had to be careful with the way they set up the golf course at Shinnecock Hills on day one of the US Open.
With high winds expected, the USGA ensured that the greens were well watered and running at no more than 10 on the Stimpmeter.
However, this led to the greens being far too receptive for a US Open venue.
Graeme McDowell even suggested that Shinnecock Hills was too easy, despite the fact that he shot a 76.
What one caddie said about Shinnecock Hills on day one of the US Open
Some of the criticism aimed at the USGA for the way they set up the golf course was unfair. What else could they have done?
If the greens were firmer and faster and the wind blew around 40 mph plus, the golf course would have been unplayable.
Golf writer Jamie Kennedy took to his X account on Thursday to give a rundown of what happened on day one at Shinnecock.
“Yes, the greens are very soft but (sadly) they need to be,“ Kennedy explained.
“Caddie told me they judge it perfectly and they couldn’t have been firmer or faster or balls would have stayed on greens. Turns the test from a distance control to a spin control test.“
The key point here is that the challenge was the same for everyone who played in the morning wave.
Sure, the afternoon wave had a big advantage, but one side of the draw almost always gets the better weather and conditions than the other at major championships.
The USGA will ramp things up over the weekend at the US Open
It will be interesting to see how the USGA set up the golf course at Shinnecock Hills over the weekend.
The course conditions will probably be very similar to how they were on Thursday, in order to make it as fair as possible to both sides of the draw.
However, once the field is whittled down to around 70 players, the USGA will undoubtedly turn up the heat.
Expect to see the greens much firmer and faster over the weekend, with the wind expected to drop on Saturday and Sunday.
Shinnecock Hills certainly hasn’t shown its teeth just yet, but don’t worry. The golf course will undoubtedly fight back at some point.
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