Shinnecock Hills has welcomed the world’s top golfers back for the US Open this year, with many struggling to shine at the iconic course.
The third round of the major championship is now underway in Long Island, which Wyndham Clark entered at the top of the leaderboard on seven-under.
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The American was one of just 10 players under par after two rounds, with the weekend now set to play even harder.
It will, however, very likely fall short of the brutal conditions at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, when Brooks Koepka won the US Open there on one-over.
He has missed the cut this time around in New York, where several players have now shared their honest verdicts on the tricky course.
Xander Schauffele predicts the score an 18-handicap golfer shoots at Shinnecock Hills
Among those asked by the DP World Tour what an 18-handicap would shoot at Shinnecock, Xander Schauffele pondered: “Ha! Oh man.
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“Ammm, with this wind, maybe triple digit, maybe a little 100, a couple… I wouldn’t say anything worse than 105 hopefully.”
Alex Fitzpatrick responded: “An 18-handicap? They don’t break 200, sorry to say,” while PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai said: “Off the back tees? 30 to 35-over.
Alex Noren commented: “Scratch handicap would shoot around 95, so add another 30… 125,” with Neal Shipley saying: “Oh gosh, 1000. I mean definitely not breaking 100 out there today from the back tees.”
Meanwhile, Justin Rose replied: “You know it’s not as drastic… this setup is not as drastic as normal. I think the fescue is relatively… I mean, you can get out the fescue.
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“Like I’m not saying you’re going to hit good shots out of it, and the fairways are relatively wide. But an 18-handicapper in that wind, I think they’ve got no clue on the wind, to be honest with you. 114.”
And also sharing a detailed response, Padraig Harrington said: “I don’t think he gets home. Stroke play… depends if he’s trying to play golf. I don’t know if he can finish.
“It’s random too, like if you’re a good 18-handicapper, if you’ve got a good short game, if you hit the ball well. I don’t know. Would I give him 200?”
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Can Xander Schauffele win the US Open at Shinnecock?
It’s intriguing to hear the different responses from various professionals, who have clearly worked very hard to be able to make it to Shinnecock Hills this week.
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But the wind has returned to Long Island to make their lives very difficult, with several players finding the conditions extremely challenging in round three.
Notably for Schauffele, he has not only made the weekend, but is right in contention to secure the third major win of his career at Shinnecock.
Starting Saturday four shots behind Clark in a tie for second, he boasts a stunning seven top 10 finishes at the US Open, with another now on the cards.
He is, however, seeking his maiden success at the tournament, which would represent his first major title since 2024, when he claimed both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship.
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Read more:
Xander Schauffele makes big comment about Scottie Scheffler after day two at the US Open
Justin Thomas predicts big change is coming at the US Open this weekend
Rory McIlroy gives his honest thoughts on how the USGA have set Shinnecock up for the US Open
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