The China Mail - USGA aims to keep control as US Open returns to Shinnecock

Shinnecock Hills will play host to the US Open for the sixth time and try to learn from stumbles in 2004 and 2018, the most recent times the Long Island layout has staged the event.

"There's never guarantees about anything. This is Shinnecock. Things change here quickly," Jeff Hall, US Golf Association (USGA) manager of rules and open championships, told Golf Channel.

"But we are acutely aware of it and we believe we are taking the necessary steps to manage against that."

It's an ignoble history seared in the minds of players who suffered through rounds on Shinnecock's wind-dried greens, where putts veered down slopes or into collection areas.

In 2004, several greens were watered between groups -- notably the par-three seventh -- to try and have balls hold the green rather than roll off the sloped putting surfaces.

It meant later starters faced easier conditions than earlier ones, the last 10 players going nearly three strokes below the field average as high winds, sloped greens and dry conditions shattered the course.

South Africa's Retief Goosen won the title after Phil Mickelson three-putted from five feet on 17 for double bogey and lost by two strokes.

The US Open remains the only major Mickelson has never won, taking the runner-up spot six times.

In 2018, Brooks Koepka won, but it was notably the third round where winds dried out the course while some pins were near slopes, the 13th and 15th holes especially difficult.

"They've lost the golf course," two-time major winner Zach Johnson said at the time. "When you have a championship that comes down to sheer luck, that's not right."

"They lost the golf course, certainly on the back nine," said Sweden's Henrik Stenson, the 2016 British Open winner.

Then-USGA chief executive officer Mike Davis admitted at the time, "There were some aspects where well-executed shots were not rewarded. We missed it with the wind. We don't want that. The firmness was OK but it was too much with the wind we had. It was probably too tough this afternoon."

Even with that history, Hall says the USGA will not reduce the severity of what is traditionally golf's toughest test.

"We understand what the US Open is all about, the DNA of the US Open," Hall said. "We could be extremely conservative, put the hole in the middle of the green and slow the greens down, but that's not what the US Open at Shinnecock is supposed to be.

"One of the great things about Shinnecock is where it's located. We've got the wind freshening here and this golf course will test the best players in the world.

"Mother Nature gets a seat at the table out here and will have a meaningful impact on the outcome of the championship."

D.Pan--ThChM