Andrew "Chubby" Chandler knows Rory McIlroy very well. He represented him during the early years, watched him develop, and understood his game as well as anyone outside the ropes. So when Chandler says Shinnecock Hills is the wrong course for McIlroy to win a U.S. Open, it comes from a specific place.

Chandler spoke to CanadaCasino ahead of the 2026 U.S. Open. McIlroy arrives at Shinnecock Hills as World No. 2, and a two-time defending Masters champion, but Chandler flagged a specific problem.

The expected fast, firm, and windy setup in New York, he said, does not set up well for McIlroy's game off the tee.

"No, I don't think Shinnecock suits him to win at the U.S. Open," Chandler told CanadaCasino, as reported by Heavy. "It's probably going to be fast; it's probably going to be windy. I would say it's doubtful he gets the conditions that would suit him."

The argument goes back further, as Chandler said, this has been a pattern.

"I've always had this idea about Rory: he never plays firm, fast courses well," he said. "That seemed to bear that up this time."

The reference point was McIlroy's driving at the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, where he tied for seventh but struggled to consistently find fairways. Chandler made the driving point plainly.

"The advantage of hitting it 328 yards is massive, but not if you're hitting it in the cabbage all the time," he said.

McIlroy's record at Shinnecock Hills doesn't help his case either. The last time the U.S. Open was held at the course in 2018, he missed the cut after rounds of 80 and 70. His only U.S. Open title came at Congressional Country Club in 2011.

McIlroy is expected to play the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village before heading to Shinnecock Hills.

Rory McIlroy's PGA Championship Fade Added Fuel to the Concern

Aronimink also affected McIlroy’s preparation for the U.S. Open. The Northern Irish golfer was near the top of the leaderboard at the PGA Championship before struggling in the final round.

During the week, both McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler criticized the pin positions. Scheffler said they were some of the hardest pin placements he had ever seen on Tour.

Chandler said McIlroy’s frustration on the course was important.

"I think his expletive was an admission that the course got the better of him early," he said. 

A run-in with a spectator added to the noise. McIlroy reacted to a heckler during the tournament, though Chandler didn't view the overall environment as hostile.

"I thought the atmosphere at the PGA Championship was actually quite pleasant," he said. "You've got a few idiots shouting out, but not many."

On security, Chandler was equally measured. "He's got plenty of security protection. He has people there following him around the course," he said. "I think if you end up giving him too much protection, it looks ridiculous."

McIlroy enters the U.S. Open alongside Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Aaron Rai as one of the marquee names in the field. Whether Shinnecock Hills proves Chandler right is a question three weeks of golf will answer.

What do you think, can McIlroy silence the doubters at Shinnecock Hills? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more at Club Golf.

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Sijo Paul