The United States Golf Association (USGA) received notable recognition for its management of course conditions during the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. After the conclusion of second-round play on Friday, the USGA alerted players via a memo that the course would become progressively firmer for the weekend, with the target green speed set at 11.0 on the Stimpmeter scale, signaling a significant increase in difficulty.

The message signaled a shift in course conditions, bringing tougher challenges as the tournament entered its final two rounds. Dylan Wu, the first player to tee off Saturday among the 72 who made the cut, experienced the course’s increased firmness firsthand. At the first green, Wu recorded five putts, resulting in a quadruple-bogey 8 on the opening hole. Wu had narrowly secured the cut with a crucial par save on the 18th hole in the second round. Reflecting on the rough start to his third round, he acknowledged the difficulty, citing gusty winds exceeding 35 mph and faster green speeds as contributing factors.

Despite his struggles, Wu declined to criticize the setup and instead praised the USGA’s handling of the course conditions, a rare show of support amid Shinnecock’s history of contentious course management. The USGA has previously drawn criticism for its control of the Shinnecock course, notably in 2004 when play was stopped to water an unplayable seventh green, and again in 2018 when unexpected winds disrupted putting surfaces in the third round, leading to high-profile player frustration.

This year, however, the USGA was commended for a more cautious and transparent approach. To accommodate the windy start, pins were placed in accessible locations, and some tee boxes were adjusted forward to ease scoring challenges. The greens were maintained between 10.0 and 10.5 on the Stimpmeter during the initial rounds to keep them receptive for players. Transparency extended to frequent communication, including the memo sent out Friday night detailing the course’s firming for the weekend.

Several players voiced support for the USGA’s setup efforts. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy said the course conditions, rather than the setup, had shaped the early tournament narrative. Tommy Fleetwood, ranked sixth globally and runner-up in the 2018 U.S. Open, remarked on the softness of the greens at the start and praised the USGA’s judgment in preparing the course. Conversely, some competitors found Shinnecock’s conditions challenging. Irishman Shane Lowry, who missed the cut, described the course as "very hard" and stressful, expressing dissatisfaction with his experience.

Wu, wrapping up his tournament, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at Shinnecock Hills, calling it an “awesome place” for a U.S. Open and acknowledging that the eventual winner would have earned a true major championship test. As the championship moved into the weekend’s final rounds, players braced for the USGA’s intensified course conditions and prevailing weather challenges.