Course
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is often considered to be the first links course to be built in America. It’s so magnificent that its architecture hasn’t really been altered for 50 years, until the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw made several changes in 2012, including restoration of a massive waste area on the sixth hole, to prepare Shinnecock for the 2018 US Open. In addition, this course will also host the 2026 US Open.
- It’s the only golf club to host the US Open in three different centuries (1896, 1986, 1995, 2004 and now 2018).
- First golf club to admit women.
- In 1893 a nine-hole ladies golf course was designed and built on the property.
- Shinnecock Hills GC is adjacent to the National Golf Links of America and the Sebonack Golf Club.
- Shinnecock will be longer than ever this year as 446 yards have been added to the track via 17 new back tees.
Defending champ back in action
Brooks Koepka was out for four months at the start of 2018 with a wrist injury but he’s back and will be looking to add another Major title to his trophy cabinet. His record in Majors is breathtaking. In his last ten Majors, his worst finish is tied 21st which shows how well he handles the pressure of the big stage. The last time he missed a cut at a Major was in the 2013 British Open!
Tiger territory
Fourteen-time Major winner, Tiger Woods, has confirmed his place in the field for the US Open. He has won this tournament three times before but the last time he lifted the trophy was ten years ago in 2008 in a play-off against Rocco Mediate. Nobody could forget the time he won by 15 strokes in 2000 which is often described as the greatest golf performance in history. In two previous appearances at Shinnecock, Woods (as an amateur) withdrew from the 1995 event with a sore neck, and finished T-17 in 2004. The 42-year-old missed the cut in his last US Open at Chambers Bay in 2015.
Lefty likes it
Phil Mickelson finished in the top five the previous two US Open’s at Shinnecock. In 1995 he was tied-fourth and runner-up in 2004. Don’t put it past him adding to his five Majors and completing the Grand Slam at the age of 47.
Dominating US
An American has won the last three US Opens. Jordan Spieth was triumphant in 2015 at Chambers Bay, Dustin Johnson succeeded by three strokes the following year at Oakmont Country Club and then Brooks Koepka finished 16-under at Erin Hills last year to lift the title. The last European to seal this Major was Martin Kaymer in 2014.
Who’s hot?
Charl Schwartzel
Top 10 finishes in The Players Championship and Wells Fargo Championship under new coach Justin Parsons.
Ian Poulter
The Ryder Cup legend was triumphant in Houston and is looking back to his best just in time for September’s battle against the States.
Jason Day
The former World No.1 is rediscovering his groove. He has recorded two victories and a runner-up finish already this season.
Bryson DeChambeau
The unique American has three top-five finishes since March.
Who’s not?
Thomas Pieters
WORLD RANKING END OF 2017/NOW - FELL FROM 36TH TO 67TH
Hasn’t had a top-ten finish since the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at the start of the season. Needs to improve sharpish if he wants to have a chance of making Thomas Bjørn’s Ryder Cup team.
Anirban Lahiri
WORLD RANKING END OF 2017/NOW - FELL FROM 66TH TO 106TH
The Indian star hasn’t won since 2015 and his last top 10 finish was in October 2017.
Adam Scott
WORLD RANKING END OF 2017/NOW - FELL FROM 31ST TO 65TH
The former World No.1 hasn’t had one top ten finish this season and been over two years since he won an event.
