NEW YORK _ When the U.S. Open golf tournament last was played in June 2019 at Pebble Beach, winner Gary Woodland finished 13 under par, and 31 players broke par thanks to a shockingly playable setup by the USGA. But rest assured that won't be the case at the 2020 edition of the U.S. Open, which was postponed from its original June date and will be played without spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic, starting Thursday at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck.
By all accounts, the USGA has reverted to its traditional demanding Open setup at the 7,258-yard West Course, which has been the scene for some memorable train wrecks. Following his win two weeks ago at the BMW Championship, Jon Rahm dropped by Winged Foot for a practice round and came away believing it is unlikely anyone will break the 72-hole par of 280.
"It's just a difficult course," he said. "It's long, it's narrow, it's undulating. You need to play really good golf. If it gets firm like some of the USGA guys told me they want it to be, I don't see how any of us shoot under par. Or if we shoot under par, it would be somebody winning by a lot."
