The toughest challenges in golf are always expected to raise some eyebrows. As per a 2026 U.S. Open Championship press conference, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy admitted to finding the U.S. Open course setup plan “stupid.” However, after gaining an understanding of the arrangements for conditions at Shinnecock, his perception seems to have changed.

Initially, McIlroy questioned the decision to place extra grass around the putting greens, believing it would make recovery shots too easy. However, after hearing the USGA's reasoning, he changed his mind.

“I think, when I first heard of it, my first reaction was, that's stupid, why are they doing that? Then once you actually listen and you've let them break it down to you, you're, like, yeah, that makes sense,” he explained.

This isn't the first time Shinnecock has faced controversy over its setup decisions. During the 2004 U.S. Open, the course drew criticism after firm, fast greens were deemed extremely difficult.

With similar concerns in mind, Shinnecock has decided to water the golf course to avoid a repeat. Once he grasped the reasoning behind the setup, McIlroy saw the extra grass served a purpose: preventing balls from rolling too far.

He also backed the USGA’s plan to start the tournament using a two-tee method to better cope with the likely windy conditions on Thursday, calling it a fair decision that gives all competitors an equal chance.

Rory McIlroy Debates the Fine Line Between Tough and Unfair

During the press conference, McIlroy touched upon an important issue: toughness versus unfairness on the course.

“Yeah, it's a very, very fine line. I think good shots getting rewarded and bad shots getting punished,” he reflected.

He explained that the major difference between a tough and an unfair golf course is whether good shots are rewarded and bad shots are punished.

McIlroy believes Shinnecock is already challenging enough and that the USGA's focus should be on keeping the greens manageable, especially with windy conditions expected.

He also mentioned how he thinks soft greens may add to the difficulty of the golf course in some cases.

“The firmer the green is, it almost makes the bump and runs a little easier. Sometimes the softness of the green actually makes the short game a little trickier and tougher. So firm and fast doesn't always mean more difficult, just depending on the shots that you have,” he said.

With his concerns addressed and a better understanding of the USGA's approach, McIlroy will put those views to the test when he tees it up at Shinnecock on Thursday.

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav