RICKIE FOWLER

U.S. OPEN 2018

PHIL MICKELSON returned to Shinnecock Hills for the first time in 14 years and it’s a wonder he recognized the golf course. He had not been there since 2004, his third of what eventually would become six runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open.

His memories went beyond the outcome to a classic venue so penalizing that 28 players couldn’t break 80 in the final round, leading to another chorus of criticism aimed at the USGA.

Bad memories have turned into anticipation. The USGA says it has learned from its mistakes. With a twist on a popular phrase in U.S. Open lexicon, it wants to identify the best player, not punish them. The fairways have been widened by some 15 yards. The collars of thick rough have been shaved, putting more emphasis on the skill of the short game. Along with adding 450 yards, the USGA has placed some new tees at angles. Officials think they have it just right.

They hope so, anyway.

“I think it’s the greatest setup I’ve seen in a U.S. Open,” Mickelson said.

Those are powerful words from a frequent critic of the U.S. Open, only it’s not just Mickelson who can’t wait to get there. Everyone seems to be excited about the return to Shinnecock Hills, the links-styled course on Long Island and one of the five founding clubs of the USGA. Two of the last three U.S. Opens have been held on courses that were barely a decade old. That led Jack Nicklaus, whose name is on the gold medal awarded to the winner, to suggest the U.S. Open had lost its identity. Shinnecock Hills should help restore that.

Mickelson has another chance to add the one major that has eluded him. For Tiger Woods, it’s an opportunity to win a major for the first time in 10 years. Brooks Koepka is next in line to try to win back-to-back, a feat that hasn’t happened at the U.S. Open since 1989. But there is as much pressure on the USGA as any player to avoid controversy — wide fairways and record scoring at Erin Hills, the Dustin Johnson ruling at Oakmont, more dirt than grass on the greens at Chambers Bay.

TIGER RETURNS

No one imagined when Woods limped off Torrey Pines in the 2008 U.S. Open to claim his 14th major that it would be his last one. Injuries to his leg and back and an implosion in his personal life contributed to his decade drought. This will be only his second U.S. Open in the last five years. Woods has gone five years since his last victory of any kind, though he has shown a powerful game that is capable of winning. He has played twice at Shinnecock — he tied for 17th in 2004 as he was rebuilding his swing, and he withdrew with a wrist injury after a 74 in 1995 when he was an amateur.

MICKELSON’S QUEST

Two of Mickelson’s best chances at the U.S. Open were at Shinnecock Hills. He had a one-shot lead when he stood on the 17th tee in 2004, only to hit into the bunker and made double bogey to finish two behind Retief Goosen. In 1995, he played the par-5 16th hole in 6 over for the week and tie for fourth, four shots behind. Mickelson, 47, only needs the U.S. Open to complete the career Grand Slam, and his hopes were renewed by winning earlier this year in Mexico City. History is not on his side. No one older than 45 has ever won the U.S. Open.

NOT SO SEVENTH HEAVEN

USGA chief executive Mike Davis all but guaranteed there would not be a repeat of the fiasco on the par-3 seventh green. The sloped green was so dry and baked out that balls that landed on the green didn’t stay there. The first group to play it Sunday each made triple bogey. It got so bad that officials had to spray the green with water before every other group teed off to keep it playable. Davis says the communication between the staff and maintenance crew is better now, along with having devices that better measure such elements as firmness. “We’re happy that we have a mulligan,” Davis said.

THE HISTORY

Shinnecock Hills is among the five original golf clubs that make up the USGA. It opened for play with 12 holes in 1891, an additional six holes were built in 1894 and it hosted the second U.S. Open in 1896 when it was 4,423 yards. Now at 7,445 yards, it his hosting its fifth U.S. Open, and the fourth since 1986. The U.S. Open embarks on a stretch of classical courses over the next decade that includes Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach, Winged Foot, Oakmont, The Country Club and Pinehurst No. 2.

“I look forward to getting my teeth kicked in.”

— Keegan Bradley, upon qualifying for the U.S. Open

U.S. OPEN | FACTS AND FIGURES

Dates: June 14-17.

Site: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

The course: Shinnecock Hills has the oldest clubhouse in the United States. Twelve holes were open for play in 1891, with an additional six holes built in 1894. It hosted the second U.S. Open in 1896 at 4,423 yards. William Flynn redesigned the course in 1937, and the U.S. Open returned in 1985, 1995, 2004 and 2018.

Defending champion: Brooks Koepka.

Field: 156 players.

Cut: Top 60 players and ties.

Length: 7,445 yards.

Par: 70 (35-35).

Playoff (if necessary): Two-hole aggregate immediately after 72 holes are completed.

Purse: $12 million.

Last year: Brooks Koepka broke away from a tight pack with three straight birdies on the back nine at Erin Hills and closed with a 5-under 67 for a four-shot victory. He made a conservative par on the par-5 18th to finish at 16-under 272, tying Rory McIlroy’s record to par for a U.S. Open. With generous fairways at Erin Hills, seven players finished at 10 under or better. Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama tied for second. Justin Thomas in the third round became the fifth player to shoot 63 in the U.S. Open, and the first to do it on a par 72.

U.S. Open champions at Shinnecock Hills: James Foulis (1896), Raymond Floyd (1986), Corey Pavin (1995), Retief Goosen (2004).

Key statistic: Dustin Johnson is the only U.S. Open champion to play in the last group Sunday in the last six years.

Noteworthy: Tiger Woods has not finished closer than three shots of the lead in a major since his last major championship 10 years ago at Torrey Pines.

Television (all times EDT): Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (FS1), 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (FOX); Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (FOX); Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (FOX).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

RORY MCILROY

Age: 29.

Country: Northern Ireland.

World ranking: 6.

Worldwide victories: 22.

Majors: US Open (2011), (2014), PGA Championship (2012, 2014).

Best U.S. Open: Won 2011 at Congressional.

U.S. Open memory: Winning the U.S. Open with a record score (just 10 weeks after losing four-shot lead in the Masters.

Backspin: McIlroy has missed the cut four times in the U.S. Open, compared with once for the other three majors. He at least has a victory this year (Bay Hill) heading into the major season. Goes into this U.S. Open following more Augusta National disappointment, playing in the final group with Patrick Reed and shooting 74.

DUSTIN JOHNSON

Age: 33.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 2.

Worldwide victories: 17.

Majors: US Open (2016).

Best U.S. Open: Won 2016 at Oakmont.

U.S. Open memory:

Winning his first major without knowing the score over the final seven holes at Oakmont.

Backspin: Johnson has lost his No. 1 ranking and hasn’t been sharp since February. Then again, he hasn’t finished out of the top 20 in stroke play since September. The problem is not seeing enough putts going in. The one area of his game that will need to get better for Shinnecock is off the tee.

PHIL MICKELSON

Age: 47.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 20.

Worldwide victories: 46.

Majors: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), British Open (2013), PGA Championship (2005).

Best U.S. Open: Runner-up six times five courses.

U.S. Open memory: A toss-up between Winged Foot, where he had a one-shot lead on the 18th hole and took double bogey; and Merion, where he had a one-shot lead going into the final round and twice made bogey with wedge in his hand over the last six holes.

Backspin: Mickelson needs the U.S. Open to complete the Grand Slam, and this is his fourth attempt. He could easily have won U.S. Opens twice at Shinnecock. In 2004, he lost to Retief Goosen and one of the great putting performances in a major. In 1995, he played the par-5 16th hole in 6 over for the week and behind.

RICKIE FOWLER

Age: 29.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 7.

Worldwide victories: 8.

Majors: None.

Best U.S. Open: Runner-up in 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2.

U.S. Open memory: Playing in the last group at a major for the first time in 2014.

Backspin: A new label for Fowler is best to have never won a major under the age 40. Fowler earned that with eight top 5s in the majors. His problem has been going backward at the start of the final round when he has a chance, and making a run when it’s too late. Last year was a good example at Erin Hills when he started one shot behind Brooks Koepka, shot 72 and tied for fifth.