They had one job, one job. The USGA was supposed to put on the U.S. Open and while it takes a million different tasks to stage an Open they had one job that encompasses all of them: Don’t f**k it up.
They blew it. They had one job…showcase a Shinnecock Hills for the true gem of a course it is and remove the stain of their 2004 debacle. The USGA blew it again. How many chances do the members at Shinnecock give these guys? One too many it looks like.
Saturday’s third round started off impressively with Daniel Berger and Tony Finau firing matching 66’s. But they were off the course before the leaders even tied their shoes. And when Berger left he said he was “going to watch” because he knew the course was drying out and there could be trouble for the leaders. And oh, was there ever.
With pins set perilously close to green edges and just a few feet from drop-offs the afternoon wave fell victim to a USGA setup that was extremely challenging without any wind. But then the wind picked up. Surprise! There is wind on Long Island. As the breeze stiffened so did the challenge to make a par.
As the greens dried out a well struck approach bounded into trouble, bunker shots skidded off the putting surface and putts…well some of them could still be rolling. Unless you’re Phil Mickelson who decided he had enough and hit his ball while it was still moving. But that’s another rant.
The seeds of this disgrace were planted on Thursday when the USGA had the greens rolling at breakneck speeds as the wind blew in the afternoon as they usually do. Thursday usually is the “easy” day at the U.S. Open but the USGA emboldened with new technology to help them monitor the course and a fresh re-do by Coore and Crenshaw were eager to show the world that ’04 was an anomaly and once again they were in control and would put on the toughest championship on earth.
They blew it…they had one job and blew it.
The silver lining (in the clouds that the winds blow over Shinnecock) here is that it was only Saturday. There is still one round of golf left, hopefully championship style golf on a course that rewards a well struck shot and greens that hold a solid approach and maybe run a hair slower. If that’s the case we may still have a memorable championship.
They have one job…let’s hope they don’t blow it again.
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