Scottie Scheffler Fires 69 to Reach U.S. Open T-3, 5 Back of Wyndham Clark

Q: Will the USGA risk another Shinnecock controversy with its final round course setup?

Yes — there is a real risk, but it appears to be a calculated one rather than a reckless repeat of 2004 or 2018. Saturday showed how narrow the margin is at Shinnecock. The USGA increased green speeds by about a half-foot, winds gusted above 30 mph, and only Emiliano Grillo and Scottie Scheffler broke par. That is exactly the kind of combination that has triggered past criticism at this course, where firm, exposed greens can quickly edge toward unplayable. At the same time, the USGA has spent the week signaling that it is trying to avoid another setup fiasco. Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer said the philosophy was to “ease into” the speeds, widen fairways compared with 2018, and “let Shinnecock be Shinnecock” rather than force a target score. Officials have also used more moisture and a more gradual progression to keep the course from getting away from them. The concern is that the USGA also appears committed to its preset plan and has already shown a willingness to tighten conditions when scoring looks too low. If Sunday brings another windy, dry afternoon and the greens are pushed even slightly faster, Shinnecock’s natural severity could make setup the story again. So the likely answer is that the USGA will try hard to avoid controversy, but by sticking with a firm-and-fast final-round test at this venue, it is still operating close to the edge. At Shinnecock, weather can turn a sound plan into a controversy very quickly.

3 articles · Updated · golfchannel.com · Jun 20

Scheffler posted a 1-under 69 — one of only two sub-par rounds completed Saturday — after three straight back-nine birdies pushed him into a tie for third at Shinnecock Hills.
Those birdies on Nos. 14, 15 and 16 erased an opening bogey-bogey start, turning a difficult round into a late charge on a day when gusting winds and faster greens left only four players under par.
Clark still controlled the tournament late in Round 3, saving key pars to stay at 6 under, while Sam Stevens sat solo second with both players still on the course.
Emiliano Grillo's 67 was the day's low round, but the broader story was survival at Shinnecock, where even contenders like Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns struggled to gain ground heading into Sunday.