What did Justin Thomas say about the U.S. Open practice rounds?

Thomas complained that wait times have "gotten terrible," noting that players cannot complete nine holes in under three hours due to crowded foursomes.

Which players scouted Shinnecock Hills before tournament week?

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Patrick Reed all visited the course early to complete their preparation before the Monday rush.

MajorsBy the GolfOdds Editorial TeamJun 16, 2026, 8:00 AM ET

Prep Hurdles and Slow Practice Rounds Grip Shinnecock Hills Ahead of U.S. Open

Justin Thomas targets slow practice-round paces while other contenders scout Shinnecock Hills early to avoid the bottleneck.

The build-up to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills has highlighted the immense physical and mental toll of major championship preparation. With players arriving early to tackle the demanding layout, the sheer volume of competitors on-site has turned traditional practice rounds into a grueling test of patience. The bottleneck has forced players to rethink how they manage their energy ahead of one of the most taxing weeks of the season.

Justin Thomas, currently priced at +5798 (Pinnacle), did not hold back when assessing the Monday logistics. "It’s gotten terrible," Thomas said regarding the wait times. "You have to sign up for tee times at the (British) Open and U.S. Open, and then people sign up with you and play in a foursomes. You can’t play nine holes in less than three hours."

Early Scouting as the Antidote

To avoid these energy-draining bottlenecks, several top contenders adopted a strategy popularized by Jack Nicklaus during his prime: scouting the course well before tournament week. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler +608 (Pinnacle) and Rory McIlroy +1400 (Bovada) stopped by Shinnecock Hills two weeks ago on their way to Ohio. It marked Scheffler's first look at the venue, while McIlroy used the trip as a refresher.

Other marquee names followed a similar blueprint. Jon Rahm +1600 (Bovada) arrived last Friday to conduct his prep, while Patrick Reed +5100 (DraftKings) has reportedly logged more rounds at the course recently than some of the club's own members.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick +2200 (DraftKings) arrived with high expectations but also expressed some early mixed feelings. While Fitzpatrick noted he was "a little bit disappointed" with certain aspects ahead of the week, he praised the venue's condition. "Yeah, really like the golf course. It’s looking great already," said the 31-year-old Englishman, who won his maiden major at Brookline in 2022 and has already claimed three victories in 2026.

For bettors looking at the board, these preparation hurdles are worth monitoring. Players who successfully navigated the early-week congestion or secured early scouting trips may hold a distinct physical and mental advantage heading into Thursday's opening round.

Compare the odds

U.S. Open odds →Matt Fitzpatrick Scottie Scheffler Rory McIlroy Jon Rahm Justin Thomas Patrick Reed

FAQ

What did Justin Thomas say about the U.S. Open practice rounds?: Thomas complained that wait times have "gotten terrible," noting that players cannot complete nine holes in under three hours due to crowded foursomes.
Which players scouted Shinnecock Hills before tournament week?: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Patrick Reed all visited the course early to complete their preparation before the Monday rush.