Kick in the Shins

Meaningful professional golf is back! This week is a return to Shinnecock Hills for the US Open, and we're in for a treat.

Shinnecock is probably the best true American links course in the country. Firm, fast, windy... it's as close to Scotland as we're going to see. Built in 1931, it hosted the 2nd ever US Open as one of the founding 5 clubs of America. We last saw it in 2018 — damn, that was 8 years ago — when Brooks Koepka won his 2nd Major. That year was peak USGA set-up hate, as players complained the conditions went "too far" and Phil Mickelson (remember him?) started slapping putts while they were still moving.

But know this: professional golfers will only complain about good things. Their job is to make money, and they'll push back against anything that presents a challenge. Inconsistent conditions, quirky unfair features, the golf ball roll-back... those are good things that would separate the legends from the mules.

I do not believe anyone can fake it around Shinnecock this week. The greens are too small (at least the sections players will be targeting) and the wind is going eject most of the field early. Expect the winner to be someone very accomplished in previous Majors. No Aaron Rai's this week!

Good luck!