Højgaard Looks Forward to 'Adult' Course at US Open with Controversial History

Danish golfers Nicolai Højgaard and Niklas Nørgaard are gearing up for the challenge of the US Open, set to be held at the historic and notoriously difficult Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, New York. This marks the sixth time the prestigious major championship will be hosted at the 135-year-old course.

Shinnecock Hills carries a controversial reputation, particularly from past US Opens in 2004 and 2018. Reports indicate that course organizers, in attempts to maximize difficulty, pushed the boundaries of playability. In 2004, after initial low scores, watering of the greens was significantly reduced, making them nearly unplayable. Hole seven became a focal point of controversy, especially when watering was resumed only after early groups had struggled immensely.

Nicolai Højgaard, who has never played the course before but has heard extensive commentary and seen it on television, described Shinnecock Hills as an "adult golf course" with a setup quite different from what players typically encounter. He believes such conditions are expected in major tournaments. Højgaard is particularly looking forward to testing his skills against the course, noting that it has historically favored players known as "ball strikers", a category he feels he belongs to due to his power and control.

In 2010, the course's conditions were described as even more extreme, leading to frustration among players, including Phil Mickelson. Brooks Koepka won that year with a score of one-over-par. For the upcoming tournament, organizers plan to use more water and widen fairways to mitigate past issues, though the weather is still expected to play a significant role in the course's difficulty, as confirmed by course setup official John Bodenhamer.