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Rory McIlroy says tournament organizers must ensure conditions at this week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills do not get “out of control” that have dominated the championship’s past two New York courses.
Tiger Woods led criticism of the set-up in 2004 when he said the United States Golf Association (USGA) had “lost control of the course” during Retif Goossen’s victory, while in 2018 there was the farcical scene when Phil Mickelson deliberately hit a moving ball so his putt wouldn’t hit the 3rd green.
Despite the negative comments, England’s 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick said this week that he “never believed that they lost on condition six years ago”.
But McIlroy thinks the USGA – which Admitted wrongdoing in 2004 When preparing the Long Island layout for the championship – one must factor in the possibility of high winds drying out the course.
“They have to be careful not to get the greens too fast. It’s expected to be quite windy for a couple of days, so it’s a matter of making sure it doesn’t get out of hand,” the six-time major winner told BBC Sport NI.
Speaking ahead of his press conference, the world’s number two weather forecaster noted that there were “gusty winds of 35-40 miles per hour” on Thursday.
He added: “There were 25 to 30 (mph) gusts (on Monday) and balls wouldn’t stay on the 11th green. That’s where you have to be a little careful.
McIlroy said organizers needed to “protect the competitive integrity of the tournament and make it fair for everyone”, although admitted that Thursday and Friday made it difficult to split players between morning and afternoon teams.
