What did Rory McIlroy say about the Shinnecock Hills setup?

McIlroy warned that the USGA must exercise caution to ensure the greens do not get too fast, especially with heavy winds expected to dry out the course.

Why did Michael Kim criticize the greens at Shinnecock Hills?

Kim described the putting surfaces as "quite bumpy" in an early-week social media post, offering a different critique than the usual complaints about speed.

MajorsBy the GolfOdds Editorial TeamJun 18, 2026, 2:02 PM ET

Shinnecock Hills Setup Under Scrutiny as McIlroy and Kim Raise Concerns

Course conditions at Shinnecock Hills are already drawing player feedback, with Rory McIlroy urging setup caution and Michael Kim pointing out bumpy greens.

Shinnecock Hills is no stranger to course setup controversies, and ahead of the U.S. Open, players are already raising flags about the playing conditions. Rory McIlroy +1200 (BetRivers) has warned the USGA to exercise caution, while PGA Tour veteran Michael Kim +35856 (Pinnacle) has offered an unexpected critique of the iconic Long Island greens. For bettors looking to make live adjustments, these early reports suggest that course conditions will be a critical factor as the week progresses.

McIlroy Urges Caution Over Wind and Speed

McIlroy, a six-time major champion, emphasized that tournament organizers must prevent the course from getting "out of control" during the championship. Shinnecock's history is filled with setup drama; Tiger Woods +20000 (Bovada) famously complained that the USGA "lost control of the course" during the 2004 tournament, and Phil Mickelson +40000 (BetMGM) infamously swatted a moving ball on the 13th green in 2018 to prevent it from rolling off. McIlroy noted that expected heavy winds could quickly dry out the course, meaning officials must be wary of making the greens too fast.

Not everyone agrees that past setups went too far. Former champion Matt Fitzpatrick +2250 (DraftKings) remarked that he "never believed they lost" their grip on the course conditions during the 2018 tournament. However, the fine line between a challenging test and an unfair layout remains a central talking point. If high winds dry out the turf as McIlroy fears, the course could rapidly change, making pre-tournament expectations obsolete.

Kim's Surprising Green Critique

While Shinnecock's greens are historically criticized for being too firm and fast, Michael Kim took to social media to highlight a different issue, describing the putting surfaces as "quite bumpy" early in the week. Known for providing honest, behind-the-scenes insights on X, Kim's observation adds another layer of complexity for those tracking player performance. If the greens lack smoothness or dry out rapidly under high winds, putting performance will become highly volatile, making live betting adjustments essential as the field grapples with the changing conditions.

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U.S. Open odds →Matt Fitzpatrick Rory McIlroy Tiger Woods Michael Kim Phil Mickelson

FAQ

What did Rory McIlroy say about the Shinnecock Hills setup?: McIlroy warned that the USGA must exercise caution to ensure the greens do not get too fast, especially with heavy winds expected to dry out the course.
Why did Michael Kim criticize the greens at Shinnecock Hills?: Kim described the putting surfaces as "quite bumpy" in an early-week social media post, offering a different critique than the usual complaints about speed.