Getty Image / Sean M. Haffey
The US Open is known for being incredibly difficult, almost too penal at times. Historic championships in recent years like Winged Foot in 2006, Oakmont in 2007, and Shinnecock Hills in 2018 have finished with the winning score over par, with players looking poorly.
The clips of some of the lies that players have had to hit out of and the ridiculous slopes on greens at the US Open in the past are comical. Take a look at this incredible example.
Entering this week’s US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, no one expected a winning score like the +5 that won in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007. But, many expected the long, par-70 course to more than hold up against the best players in the world. It did not. It was a bloodbath out there if you’re a fan of the course. Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele both broke the US Open scoring records with rounds of 62, breaking the old record by a shot.
71.38 marks the lowest first-round scoring average in U.S. Open history (previous: 72.29 in 1993 at Baltusrol).
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 16, 2023
Currently, the cut line is at an incredibly low +1 heading into round 2. Surely, the USGA will make adjustments to the course in terms of mowing the greens closer, watering the rough, and tough pin placements to make sure the course isn’t embarrassed again. In the meantime, the memes and criticism of the USGA for their US Open setup are out in full force.
We want blood tomorrow, @USGA.
— Riggs (@RiggsBarstool) June 15, 2023
Be assured that I’m monitoring the scoring and in constant comms with the USGA. If the marine layer doesn’t burn off tomorrow then I’m afraid we may have to demand the Winged Foot superintendent resign.
— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) June 15, 2023
The USGA tonight. pic.twitter.com/JB5fD5ktLN
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) June 15, 2023
the usga rn: pic.twitter.com/5r2YtP4Uk3
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) June 15, 2023
The @USGA & LACC greenskeepers tomorrow after they tuck every pin and get the course dried to a crisp #USOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/bUMBvU7WFm
— smaths (@smathdaddy) June 16, 2023
You know we're in trouble as a society when even the @USGA has gotten soft.
— The Depressed Brabarian (@CowansBra) June 16, 2023
Those are some GREAT memes. The tournament continues through Sunday.