Pesky Mother Nature set to turn US Open into a bumpy ride at Shinnecock Hills

Strap yourself in because the 126th US Open could be a bumpy ride at Shinnecock Hills after a change of plan by golf’s pesky partner, Mother Nature.

It had been initially thought that the event’s sixth staging at the Long Island venue could be played without any wind at all. Not now, though.

We could get gusts up to 40mph for Thursday’s opening round before it is set to blow hard again on Saturday.

A groundskeeper sprays water on the first hole during a practice round prior to the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills | Getty Images

“We think we're looking at a US Open with the potential to be much like 1992 was at Pebble Beach when Tom Kite won in that wind-swept final round,” observed John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer.

This place, of course, has history. It’s where Phil Mickelson suffered his sensational meltdown in 2018, running across a green to hit a moving golf ball.

Lightning-fast green speeds were the problem on that occasion, but precautions have already been taken to avoid that being a headline issue this time.

“We feel very good that we are not going to have a turf health issue,” insisted Bodenhamer. “Our target green speeds that we intend to play is mostly in the mid-10s throughout the day. Our goal was 11.5 to 12, but…”

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler sets out with a huge incentive. Get his hands on the trophy on Sunday and he’ll become the seventh player to complete a career grand slam.

Europeans, meanwhile, will be aiming to make it a hat-trick of title triumphs in the 2026 majors after Rory McIlroy’s successful Masters defence in April was followed by Aaron Rai landing the PGA Championship last month.

In-form Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 winner, could be the man to keep that run going or his fellow Englishmen, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton.

2025 runner-up Bob MacIntyre, meanwhile, is bidding to go one better a venue where a Scot, James Foulis, claimed this crown in the first US Open to be staged here back in 1896.

USGA CEO Mike Whan, left, and John Bodenhamer, the Chief Championships Officer, speak to the media during a press conference prior to the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

Shinnecock Hills, as close to a Scottish-style links course as you’ll find on this side of the Atlantic, will be the star of the show. Let’s just hope it’s allowed to be showcased in its full glory.

“It would have been an amazing US Open if we'd have teed off on this last Sunday and finished today, but Mother Nature decided to throw us a little bit more to deal with,” admitted Mike Whan, the USGA’s CEO.

“We'll play for a purse of $22.5 million, which means the winner will receive $4.5 million. Last time we were here was 2018. The purse was $12 million.”