Lee Westwood's message to US Open organisers: 'Don't make it ridiculous like last time'
“Don’t make it ridiculous like last time.” That is Lee Westwood’s message to the United States Golf Association as it prepares Shinnecock Hills for what the governing body likes to call “golf’s ultimate test”.
Westwood has not qualified for the US Open – which means he will be missing America’s national championship for the first time in 12 years this week – but the memories of 2004 are still all too clear in his mind. The Englishman finished in a tie for 36th at Shinnecock and witnessed the havoc wreaked by the USGA.
“I finished in the 30s or something but was well up in the putting stats [seventh] because I like fast greens,” Westwood said. “But they were ridiculous by the Sunday. They lost control by their decision not to water overnight and instead to double-cut the greens.
“The seventh hole gained all the attention that day, with players four-putting and five-putting and watching tiddlers roll past and straight off the green. But, to be honest, it was daft all week. I think I hit it once in the four days with a hard, slicing seven-iron that managed to cling on to the left side. I hope they have learned their lessons."
The early reports from Shinnecock suggest that they have. A caddie to one of the top players told Telegraph Sport last week: “It’s in amazing condition. Not even the USGA can f--- this one up.”
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Perhaps, but many have noted the revered Long Island layout was pristine the week preceding the tournament 14 years ago. It was only the USGA’s obsession with bringing the score back to par after a comparatively low-scoring first two rounds and then the failure to react to the forecasts for strong drying winds on the Saturday night which created the chaos.
Phil Mickelson is one of those who clearly worries that the USGA could fall foul again, regardless of what Mike Davis, the executive director, says about his organisation now “having a lot more technology and a lot more data at our disposal”.
Mickelson said last week: “I’m concerned every time they get a hold of it.”
The left-hander – who after six US Open runners-up placings requires his national title to complete the career grand slam – was talking about the 189-yard seventh. But that was not the only green they “lost”. The 11th was another which they decided to water between groups – but bizarrely not between “every group” – on a final day when the USGA’s inadequacies were exposed more than ever.
It has hardly been plain sailing since. The USGA was responsible for the farce which saw Dustin Johnson being told in the final round at Oakmont two years ago that he may or may not be hit with a penalty – fortunately he compiled a big enough lead by the end for it not to matter anyway – while the year before the Chambers Bays greens should not have hosted a monthly medal.
It is fair to say that the pressure is on and Rory McIlroy has his own plea. “I think the USGA thinks that we’re better than we actually are,” he said. McIlroy is spot on. At a par 70 and stretched to 7,445 yards it is tough enough without tricking up.
The field can be assured of one positive. The New Yorkers will come out in numbers to cheer.
This week, the golf fans there have had a tasty hors d’oeuvre with the Curtis Cup, the female amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup.
And after sweeping yesterday morning’s fourballs 3-0 at Quaker Ridge, the US took a formidable 7-2 lead over Great Britain and Ireland going into the afternoon foursomes.
