Golf fans fume at pathetic US Open course conditions as USGA takes the teeth out of Shinnecock

Dan calls out Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy for complaining about tough pin placements at the PGA Championship. He's tired of the whining from the pros.

They've taken the teeth out of Shinnecock Hills.

Or, at the very least, they've given her some dentures.

That's the sentiment a majority of golf fans share after Thursday's opening round of the 126th U.S. Open, which was suspended by darkness at around 8:30 p.m.

Yes. The USGA is under fire, again, in Southampton — eight years after the infamous 2018 U.S. Open, where I'm fairly certain Zach Johnson is somehow still complaining about the course.

2026 US OPEN TEE TIMES: MOST NOTABLE PAIRINGS FOR THE OPENING TWO ROUNDS AT SHINNECOCK HILLS

Before we dive into the anger, let's give some context. It's important, you know?

A tricky weather forecast this weekend at Shinnecock spooked the USGA. A combination of high winds and low humidity (particularly after today) forced them to play it safe ahead of the tournament. For example, the greens were slowed down before yesterday's opening round.

I don't feel like getting into the technical aspect of green management around a golf course — trust me, you don't, either — so just know that this is the "slowest" U.S. Open in the past 30 years.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from the 13th tee during the first round of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., on June 18, 2026. (Warren Little/Getty Images)

The real kicker? The folks at Shinnecock decided to "syringe" the greens between each round both yesterday and, presumably, today. "Syringe" is just a fancy term for "water the greens." That's essentially what it is. Why they don't just call it that, I have no idea. Maybe they thought