Why Shinnecock may not offer the US Open test it has in the past

In 2022, Matt Fitzpatrick - the last British winner - triumphed at six under, the same mark as Jon Rahm the previous year. Wyndham Clark was 10 under at LACC in 2023 and Bryson DeChambeau six under at Pinehurst No 2. Last year, at a rain-sodden Oakmont, one under was the number that allowed JJ Spaun to beat Bob MacIntyre by two for his first major crown. Nowadays it seems conditions are the biggest influence on how many shots it takes to make a champion. "Mother Nature always gets a seat at the table, and at Shinnecock, maybe more than anywhere else," Bodenhammer told Golf Digest. "If we get wind, the course will resist scoring. If we don't, it won't - and we're OK with that. "That's part of the evolution in our thinking, being willing to let conditions play a role instead of trying to control every outcome." There is some rain forecast before a predicted dry weekend, which might help the USGA dodge further criticism at a Shinnecock US Open. It will remain a mighty test for the world's best. …