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It’s no secret that the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club was a bit of a farce, but the USGA appears dead set on making up for it this week at Pinehust No. 2.
Before the tournament even began, golfers were talking about how the setup might be “unfair” and videos began to surface of balls refusing to hold the green.
Now, just minutes after the first round began, they may have been proven correct as the grounds crew was forced to water the greens.
With first group of the day one hole behind, 7 green gets a little extra water. pic.twitter.com/t9AmoTrAPs
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGolfbet) June 13, 2024
It’s not uncommon for greens at the U.S. Open to get a little extra water to keep them from becoming completely unplayable (looking at you, Shinnecock Hills). But it normally doesn’t happen until later in the tournament or, at least, later in the day after the sun has begun to bake them out.
You know it’s a bad sign for players when the water hoses are coming out before the first group even reaches the hole.
Pinehurst hosted the 1999, 2005 and 2014 U.S. Opens. Payne Stewart won in 1999 at 1-under. Michael Campbell won in 2005 at even par. While Martin Kaymer surprisingly got all the way to 9-under in his 2014 victory, he finished a full eight shots clear of the two players tied for second at 1-under.
So it’s no surprise to these players that Pinehurst is playing so tough. But dry, warm weather coupled with an “easy” U.S. Open means that the setup is looking particularly nasty.
“I mean, they are extremely fast. If they get any firmer and faster, the greens, I mean, they’d be borderline,” defending champion Wyndham Clark said earlier in the week. “They already are borderline.”
Clark was taken aback by just how fast the greens are playing.
“So every putt is fast. I find myself hitting uphill putts six feet by, six, seven feet by. Common theme in our group,” he said. “I mean, multiple guys putts off the green. Multiple guys hit putts, they’re like, Oh, my gosh. It’s definitely the defense right now is the greens.”
Well, Wyndham, if you want to retain your crown, it looks like you’re gonna have to work for it.