The U.S. Open is widely known as the toughest test in golf, and a U.S Open at Shinnecock Hills is a tougher test. Two-time U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau’s recent X post gives a slight insight into how challenging the conditions might be this week.

The spotlight shifts to Long Island this week, where the major returns to a venue that has already hosted the championship five times before. Another demanding test is expected after last year's much-discussed conditions at Oakmont.

“Oh boy. Well, you can’t hit there,” DeChambeau said as his wedge shot did not make it out of the thick rough.

DeChambeau will be hoping to end his terrible run of form at the majors, as he failed to make the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship earlier this year.

However, the stern test of the Shinnecock Hills will be in his way.

"When the greens are firm, you’ve got to hit the fairway so you can get the spin control. If you miss the fairway at Shinnecock, you’re not hitting the green. Now you’ve got a problem,” said Colin Montgomerie to bunkered.

The last two occasions, in 2004 and 2018, when the U.S. Open was held at the New York course, things really went out of hand.

The 2004 U.S Open’s final round was called a “double bogey” by the former USGA CEO Mike Davis. Officials had to water the greens for the first time in major history as the balls would not stop rolling on them. 

Similarly, at the 2018 U.S. Open, the greens had turned brown, and that made putting nearly impossible.

This week, the greens at Shinnecock Hills are expected to be fast as usual. While DeChambeau will be competing for his third U.S. Open title.

A Look Back At Bryson DeChambeau's U.S. Open Success

DeChambeau has won the U.S. Open twice, with victories in 2020 and 2024 accounting for the only major titles of his career so far.

His first came at Winged Foot, where he started the final round two shots off the lead before pulling away from Matthew Wolff.

By the end of the day, DeChambeau had turned a tight contest into a six-shot victory, finishing at six-under-par 274.

His second title looked very different. The 2024 U.S. Open turned into a back-and-forth battle with Rory McIlroy. In the end, DeChambeau delivered one of the defining shots of the tournament.

Faced with a difficult bunker shot from 55 yards on the 72nd hole, he got up and down to save par and secure a one-shot victory over McIlroy while matching his six-under-par winning total from 2020.

A lot will be at stake this week for the LIV man who’ll look to end his major form slump. The 2026 US Open will be held from June 18 to 21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton.

How challenging do you think the Shinnecock Hills course will be this week? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Rudra Dubey