Biggest gunslingers heading for the Hills
SHINNECOCK Hills is an iconic setting for the ultimate golfing test at this week’s US Open.
The second major of the year was last held here in 2004 when farcical green speeds prompted Tiger Woods to claim the USGA had “lost control of the course”.
Retief Goosen – who mastered the treacherous conditions to win his second major – and second-placed Phil Mickelson were the only two players to finish under par.
As a links style course, the set-up this week will be key to the scoring and spectacle.
Thankfully, the USGA appears to have learned its lessons and the fairways are a lot more generous than 2004. On average, they are 15 yards wider.
Another positive is the fact the Long Island venue has produced great champions in the past with Goosen, Corey Pavin and Raymond Floyd winning here in 2004, 1995 and 1986.
Who will prevail this week? Time will tell, but history could take centre stage.
Mickelson is chasing a personal Grand Slam, while 15/2 favourite Dustin Johnson is bidding to become the first player to win the event having won the previous week (at the St Jude Classic). The World No1’s game is in good nick and his US Open record of one win – at Oakmont two years ago – and three top-10s in 10 starts augurs well.
Tiger can draw upon experience of playing at Shinnecock in
2004, where he finished T17, although it’ll be a very different player teeing it up this week.
It’s now 10 years since Woods’ last major success and there’s no doubt a win this week would gift the sport its biggest headline in years. Elsewhere, Rory Mcilroy hasn’t enjoyed a top-drawer season, but it’s been fruitful enough to give him hope. He also loves this course, which is a big plus as he chases his fifth major.
In the past, Rory has switched off at venues he doesn’t like, but that’s not the case this week.
He does need a fast start though because it’s tough winning a US Open from behind.
It’s four years since Mcilroy’s last major triumph, but if he stays energised for four rounds, I have high hopes for him.
I also expect a big week from Jason Day.
The Aussia has won twice already this season, the wider fairways will benefit his game and he also has a great record of putting well on tough greens.
Day has struggled from tee to green recently but has found a way and the fact he won last month’s Wells Fargo with his ‘C’ game tells me he will contend.
Like Rory and Dustin, he has the tools to get the job done.
Enjoy the drama to come.