Tyrrell Hatton has praised the USGA for the way they set up Shinnecock Hills after another impressive major performance for the Englishman at the US Open.
Hatton looks to be on course to finish inside the top 10 at the third major of the year. Of course, the Englishman had been the only LIV Golf player in the top 30 at The Masters, as he finished tied for third.
As is often the case when it comes to the US Open, Shinnecock Hills proved to be one of the main characters this week.
Tyrrell Hatton assesses the Shinnecock Hills setup during the US Open
The weather certainly played a starring role, with the wind seemingly having a big say on who made it through to the weekend and who went home.
The greens were nowhere near as fast as they have been in the past. Players were not quite sprinting to the green to mark their ball when they found the peak of a ridge.
Some may be disappointed that Shinnecock Hills was not quite as brutal as it could have been. However, the players seem to be happy with the task put in front of them this week.
Speaking after his final round in Southampton, Hatton was asked whether he thinks the USGA got the setup correct.
“Yeah, I think they did. The fact that we didn’t have to stop because of the wind getting too strong. Whether they say they slowed the greens down, I think just because of how severe the slopes are, they still feel like they played pretty quick,” he said.
“Yeah, certainly a bit more successful than 2018.”
Hatton pleased as he closes in on another top 10 in the majors
Hatton saved his best for last at the US Open. He posted a round of 67 to better Friday’s score by just one shot.
And Hatton suggested that he was extremely pleased with how he performed on Sunday.
“Yeah, it was a pretty solid round of golf. The conditions today and with the wind, it was a bit more favorable, certainly a more enjoyable experience than the first three days,” he said.
“I was happy to go out and play a pretty decent round of golf. Obviously the last hole stings a bit. Kind of reminds me in some ways of Oakmont last year where I was a bit unlucky on 17, not so much on 18 but more 17 there. Yeah, disappointing.
“Now all I can hope for is that it stays top 10 and I’m guaranteed a spot in the U.S. Open next year.”
Hatton has certainly been a shining light for LIV in the majors this year. There is a very real possibility that not a single LIV player makes all four cuts in the majors in 2026.
Hatton missed the cut at the PGA Championship. But he has performed superbly at both The Masters and the US Open. That bodes well for The Open Championship next month.
