Robert MacIntyre has voiced significant concerns regarding the US Open setup at Shinnecock Hills ahead of Sunday’s final round. The Scottish golfer, after his third-round 73, highlighted tricky pin positions, firm greens, and strong winds, predicting challenging conditions that could lead to “carnage” for the field. MacIntyre finished the third round out of contention, attributing difficulties to the course management decisions by the USGA.
Following his three-over 73, MacIntyre criticised the course design, particularly given the weather. He observed the slow pace of play, noting: “That can tell you all you need to know. If we’re playing an Open Championship which it starts getting like out here I think some of the pin positions are just to be honest a bit ridiculous.” His critique extended to specific holes, citing the par-3 11th as an example where he recorded a bogey. “The pin on, I think it’s 11 is only a pin position it it’s flat calm or calm enough. I mean it’s blowing 30 miles an hour across that green.” The USGA had previously issued a memo indicating greens would play progressively firmer, targeting a Stimpmeter speed of 11 for the weekend.
MacIntyre anticipates a high scoring average on such holes if conditions persist. He projected: “The scoring average on that one hole, par-3, is going to be over 4. I mean, some of the best golfers in the world or the best golfers in the world and it’s. Yeah, it’s carnage.” His primary concern remains the lack of watering on the greens if wind speeds do not decrease. “I mean my weather forecast was the way it is right now was to be breezy but start dying down. They’ve got to hope it starts dying down or it will be carnage if this place starts getting firm and this wind’s up, it’s going to get silly.” The final round of the US Open today will determine if these predictions materialise, with players facing a potentially severe test of course management and precision.
