We’re in the dark about this US Open! Stars fume as start times lead to twilight finish with co-leader Wyndham Clark describing the schedule as ‘a bit ridiculous’
- US Open stars have criticized the tournament’s “ridiculous” start times
- Co-leader Wyndham Clark said the scheduling calls into question the tournament’s integrity
- Matt Fitzpatrick was critical of the very subdued atmosphere at the tournament
Despite the quality of the competition on court, last night’s final round of the US Open began under a growing whiff of dissatisfaction from some of the key players.
Complaints have been made among some of the major’s leading figures about the flat atmosphere, heavy business tickets, the LA Country Club course and also the scheduling, with 54-hole co-leader Wyndham Clark suggesting the latter affected the competitive integrity of the tournament.
Referring to the U.S. Golf Association’s seemingly ridiculous decision to send Fowler and Clark out at 3:40 p.m. local time on Saturday, which led to a twilight finish, the American said: “It’s kind of ridiculous that we tee off so late . Around hole 15 or 16 it started to get to where you couldn’t see very well.
“I think 100 percent my bogey was on 17 because I couldn’t see and I think Rickie’s was on 18 because he couldn’t see.”
The last lap start times were brought forward by just over an hour, with Clark and Fowler sharing the lead and Rory McIlroy in the penultimate group as he chased his first major win in nine years.
Co-leader Wyndham Clark is among those who have complained about the US Open
Anger over the schedule has added to other criticisms. There was Matt Fitzpatrick’s doubling down on his earlier criticism of the atmosphere, which was notably subdued. Limited space at LA Country Club means about 22,000 spectators are allowed on the grounds, compared to about 40,000 on corresponding days at Brookline last year.
The low number of visitors was exacerbated by the fact that 14,000 of those tickets went to the hospitality and business sector. Fitzpatrick, the defending champion, said, “It’s disappointing on the USGA side. I’ve heard that many members have bought tickets and that’s why there are so many fewer people. Hopefully it won’t be the same for other US Opens in the future.”
The course has divided opinion. Padraig Harrington said the quirky set up has the best greens he’s known at a major, and was generally well received by the field despite appearing calmer than usual for a championship that prides itself on its level of challenge. Brooks Koepka was the first to speak out, with Fitzpatrick and Viktor Hovland also critical.
World No. 5 Hovland said: ‘To be honest I’m not a big fan of this golf course. I think there are some good holes. I don’t think there are big gaps. I think there are some bad holes.’
Fitzpatrick added: “Some tee shots are just a little unfair. You make a good tee and end up two feet in the rough and then you cut it out.”
On the course, Tommy Fleetwood got off to a torrid start to his final round, taking six strokes through 11 holes, including an eagle on six to reach under.
Clark and Rickie Fowler got ridiculed on Saturday at 3:40 p.m. local time
Matt Fitzpatrick was critical of the very subdued atmosphere at the tournament