What's happened
The U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills is shaping up as a demanding test amid gusty winds. Rory McIlroy has shifted from his initial skepticism about water management to accepting it as a practical measure to protect the course and maintain fairness across rounds. Several contending players are commenting on the wind and the course’s conditions as tee times approach.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Rory McIlroy has shifted his view on course maintenance, recognizing that water management is part of maintaining fairness and playability under heavy wind.
- The wind and firm greens are expected to drive high variability in scores, potentially favoring players with excellent short game and course management.
- The set-up at Shinnecock Hills could lead to unexpected results, with historical openness to low scores and the potential for a sleeper to emerge.
- Readers should watch how greens respond to wind and whether watering schedules affect rhythm and strategy.
How we got here
Shinnecock Hills hosts the U.S. Open on Long Island. Builders irrigate daily at 2 p.m. to protect and preserve playability. Past Opens have produced surprising leaders amid tough conditions.
Our analysis
New York Post Business: quote-rich dispatches from McIlroy on practice rounds; The Scotsman: context on watering at Shinnecock; multiple previews discuss wind and historical scores.
Go deeper
- What changes have the authorities made to Shinnecock Hills’ watering schedule this week?
- Which players are likely to benefit most from the wind and firm greens?
- How might the weather forecast alter strategy for the weekend?
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Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, in the northeastern United States.
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