Over the first two days of the 2026 U.S. Open, players used two words to describe Shinnecock Hills’ greens that had likely not been uttered during the last four Opens at the iconic course: “slow” and “receptive.”
In the face of a forecast calling for high winds, tournament officials at the USGA intentionally slowed and softened the greens to prevent total chaos (and perhaps to avoid the complaints from pros that highlighted the 2004 and 2018 U.S. Opens at Shinnecock).
But on Saturday at this year’s U.S. Open, the USGA is set to turn up the heat with a tougher setup that they warned players about Friday evening.
Here’s what you need to know.
U.S. Open pros face ‘firmer’, faster setup on Saturday at Shinnecock
Many players have commented on the abnormally slow and soft greens they’ve faced at Shinnecock Hills this week. But perhaps the most notable thoughts came from Brooks Koepka, the man who won the last U.S. Open there in 2018.
“It’s just weird how soft the greens are. It’s just odd. It’s not what I remember,” Koepka said after Thursday’s opening round. “I mean, I understand why they’re soft, I get that. It’s not complaining.”
It’s important to note that amid Koepka’s win in 2018, the greens got so hard and fast that players’ complaints abounded. In the most infamous moment, Phil Mickelson grew so frustrated he whacked his ball on the 13th green before it came to rest, resulting in a two-shot penalty.
Unable to adjust to how differently the greens were playing this week, Koepka shot 73-77 to finish at 10 over and miss the cut.
World No. 6 Tommy Fleetwood echoed similar thoughts Thursday evening, while adding that the easier setup was necessary considering the windy conditions this week.
“I was surprised on Monday. The course was very, very soft and slow but they’ve clearly judged it perfectly,” Fleetwood said.
The USGA has been transparent all week about their setup strategy. They were clear their aim was to have the greens rolling around 10-10.5 on the Stimpmeter, far slower than greens typically roll at U.S. Opens and PGA Tour events.
They’ve also watered the greens regularly, even in the middle of rounds using an innovative technique known as “syringing.” That has made the greens usually receptive in addition to being slow, making it easier for players to hold greens with approach shots.
But that’s all about to change on Saturday.
In an alert to players on Friday, U.S. Open officials warned that they aimed to increase the green speeds to 11 on the Stimpmeter and that the golf course would be set up to “play progressively firmer.”
With winds expected to be gusting into the 20-30 mph range on Saturday, the pros can expect to face a much tougher test.
Matt Fitzpatrick, who is tied for second heading into Saturday, is more worried about the weather and the pin positions than the firmness of the greens.
When asked about the setup for Round 3 on Friday evening, Fitzpatrick said, “It will be interesting to see what they do. I know they’re a little bit wary of the forecast tomorrow. I can’t see it drying out too much. I think with how humid it is as well, it’s going to only keep it soft. I think greens will be similar reception-wise, but obviously pin placements, weather conditions will be interesting.”
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, thinks the setup changes will have a big impact.
“So they were starting to dry out a little bit, so I would expect them to sort of keep trending in that direction, as we get into tomorrow and as the weekend goes on,” McIlroy said Friday night.
He added: “They’ve got everything back on track, so I’d say people should expect the Shinnecock they’ve gotten to know over the past couple of decades.”
It’s important to note that despite all the talk of “slow” greens at Shinnecock, only 10 players find themselves under par at the halfway point of the 2026 U.S. Open. While Wyndham Clark’s seven-under total might be alarming to purists, if the USGA lets Shinnecock be Shinnecock on Saturday, it could send scores soaring.
