The USGA is warning US Open pros about a tough setup on Saturday
In the first two days of the 2026 US Open, players used two words to describe the Shinnecock Hills green that may not have been mentioned during the previous four Opens at the iconic course: “go slow” and “receptive.”
In the face of windy weather, tournament officials at the USGA deliberately shortened and softened the greens to prevent total chaos (and perhaps to avoid complaints from the pros who highlighted the 2004 and 2018 US Opens at Shinnecock).
But on Saturday at this year’s US Open, the USGA will turn up the heat with a tough setup they warned players on Friday evening.
Here’s what you need to know.
The US Open pros faced a ‘tough’, fast setup on Saturday at Shinnecock
Many players commented on the unusually slow and soft conditions they experienced at Shinnecock Hills this week. But perhaps the most remarkable thoughts come from Brooks Koepka, the man who won the last US Open there in 2018.
“It’s weird how soft the greens are. It’s weird. It’s not what I remember,” Koepka said after Thursday’s opening round. “I mean, I understand why they’re soft, I get that. Not complaining.”
It is important to note that during Koepka’s winning streak in 2018, the greens became so hard and fast that player complaints increased. In the worst moment, Phil Mickelson got so frustrated that he hit his ball on the 13th green before it came to rest, resulting in a two-stroke penalty.
Unable to adjust to the fact that the greens were playing differently this week, Koepka shot 73-77 to finish at 10 over and miss the cut.
World No. 6 Tommy Fleetwood echoed similar thoughts on Thursday evening, while adding that a lighter setup was needed given the windy conditions this week.
“I was surprised on Monday. The course was very soft and slow but they judged well,” said Fleetwood.
The USGA has been transparent all week about its setup strategy. They were clear that their goal was for the greens to be around 10-10.5 on the Stimpmeter, much slower than the greens that are often rolled at US Opens and PGA Tour events.
They also watered the vegetables regularly, even between rounds using a new technique known as a “syringe.” That made the greens tend to accept more slowly, making it easier for players to hit the greens with approach shots.
But all that is about to change on Saturday.
In a warning to players on Friday, US Open officials warned that they intend to increase green speed to 11 on the Stimpmeter and that the golf course will be set up to “continually play with intensity.”
With winds expected to gust to 20-30 mph on Saturday, experts can expect to face a tough test.
Matt Fitzpatrick, tied for the second time to Saturday, is more concerned about the weather and the pin positions than the firmness of the greens.
When asked about the set-up for Round 3 on Friday evening, Fitzpatrick said, “It’ll be interesting to see what they do. I know they’re paying attention to the forecast tomorrow. I can’t see it getting too dry. I think with how wet it is, it’s going to keep it soft. I think the greens will be the same receptions, but obviously the weather will be very nice, but obviously the weather will be nice.”
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, thinks the setup changes will have a big impact.
“So they were starting to dry up a little bit, so I would expect them to continue trending there, as we go into tomorrow and as the weekend goes on,” McIlroy said Friday night.
He added: “They got everything back on track, so I would say people should expect the Shinnecock they’ve known for the past few decades.
It’s important to note that despite all the talk of “slow” greens at Shinnecock, only 10 players find themselves under the 2026 US Open category. While Wyndham Clark’s seven-under par total may shock purists, if the USGA allows Shinnecock to be Shinnecock on Saturday, it could send the score soaring.
