Rory McIlroy Reflects on Shinnecock's US Open Setup

As the US Open progresses, Rory McIlroy remains a strong contender, currently tied for 11th place at Shinnecock Hills. After two rounds, the Northern Irish golfer has recorded scores of 69 and 71, placing him at even par, seven strokes behind the leader, Wyndham Clark.

After finishing his second round, McIlroy shared his thoughts on the course setup during a media briefing. He expressed satisfaction with how Shinnecock Hills has been prepared, stating, “Yeah, I think the setup has been good. I think that’s more… I think that’s more a reflection of the golf course rather than the setup.”

McIlroy noted that the first two days have highlighted the characteristics of the course itself rather than its configuration. He commented on the weather conditions, explaining, “Yes, they’ve had to set it up in some ways quite benign because of at least the expected wind yesterday that materialized for some part but not all of the day.” He added that Saturday’s conditions are expected to be more typical for the venue, with winds gusting between 15 and 30 mph.

With only ten players under par after the initial rounds, McIlroy is keen to see how the USGA will adjust the course for the weekend. He emphasized the importance of focusing on his game, noting his performance thus far includes one eagle, seven birdies, 20 pars, seven bogeys, and one double bogey.

This year’s tournament is particularly notable, especially considering the challenges posed by wind, as many will recall the 2018 event where Brooks Koepka triumphed with a score of one over par.