Was Winged Foot Too Easy? - US Open 2020

We expected brutal conditions at Winged Foot but the course was soft and scoreable on day one at the US Open

Winged Foot Too Easy
(Image credit: Getty Images)

We expected brutal conditions at Winged Foot but the course was soft and scoreable on day one at the US Open

Was Winged Foot Too Easy? - US Open 2020

All the stories heading into this week's US Open were around Winged Foot's brutality with thick rough and lightning-fast, sloping greens.

"The greens are very soft. I thought they'd be a little firmer, but I also understood that they need to err on this side so they can get them how they want this weekend," Justin Thomas said.

"We had soft conditions this morning, a little overcast. Wind wasn't really blowing very much. So it was good scoring conditions."

According to 'Outside The Cut' on Twitter, Winged Foot's Head of Grounds Steve Rabideau was "livid" with the USGA over their set up of the course for day one.

"I don't see any reason why it won't get harder and get more difficult," Tiger Woods said.

"I just think that the golf course is there to be had. They gave us a lot of opportunities with the hole locations.

"Obviously they could have made it a lot more difficult if they wanted to, but I thought it was very fair."

Was the course too easy? Yes, it probably was judging by the numbers.

However, it is highly likely that the course will be playing much tougher over the next few days as the grounds staff will be ensuring the greens get firmer and firmer and the rough gets juicier.

The pins look tucked for Friday's second round and there are winds forecast for 15mph.

(USGA)

"They can dry the greens out. They can hide the flags a lot more," Lee Westwood said.

"It would surprise me if 5 under is not the best score of the week at the end of the week. If anyone shoots any lower than that, they'll have really played well, I think."

Let's look forward to the world's best players being tested to the maximum over the weekend ahead.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews.