Shinnecock Hills' 7th Hole Proves Challenging for U.S. Open Competitors

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Tommy Fleetwood let out a breath that mixed relief with amusement as he reflected on the infamous 7th hole at Shinnecock Hills. Although it is officially a par-3, many players found it to be far more daunting during the opening round of the 2026 U.S. Open. Descriptors like "devilish," "maddening," and "brutal" were thrown around as competitors faced its challenges. Fleetwood noted the difficult conditions posed by the wind and the tricky slopes of the green, which presents a tiny landing area. "How disciplined can you be? How aggressively can you try to hit the perfect shot?" he pondered.

Measuring 180 yards, the 7th hole emerged as the toughest par-3 of the day and the third-most challenging hole overall, with several players still on the course. In contrast, during the last U.S. Open held at Shinnecock in 2018, it played as the 12th hardest hole. The 7th has a history of difficulty; in 2004, Retief Goosen claimed victory here while the first pairing of J.J. Henry and Kevin Stadler collectively recorded a staggering 12 on the hole.

Despite not being as punishing this year, the hole still created chaos for many players. Cameron Smith recorded a double bogey with a 6, while J.J. Spaun had his ball roll back into a bunker after initially appearing to land on the green. "That shot on 7, the par-3, is so hard," said Sam Stevens, who managed a 68 to take an early lead. He described the 7th as the trickiest shot of his round, emphasizing the precision required to reach the green.

Renowned for its challenging par-3s, Shinnecock's 7th hole follows a Redan template, featuring an elevated green that slopes from front right to back left, flanked by bunkers on either side. On Thursday, the pin position combined with sustained winds of 20 mph, gusting up to 40 mph, made precision even more elusive. Players who landed near the middle-left found their balls rolling back into bunkers, while those hitting long often ended up behind the green.

As the tournament progresses, conditions may worsen, with the USGA aiming for a balance between challenging the players and keeping rounds under control. One local member noted that some favorable conditions today might be replaced by harsher ones over the weekend. "Not a lot of smiles coming off 7 today," observed a volunteer, encapsulating the frustrations many faced on this notoriously difficult hole.