Shinnecock Hills Traffic Causing Nightmares Ahead Of US Open

Tiger Woods says that players may miss their tee times due to the traffic in the local area

shinnecock hills traffic
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tiger Woods says that players may miss their tee times due to the traffic in the local area

Shinnecock Hills Traffic Causing Nightmares Ahead Of US Open

The US Open takes place at Shinnecock Hills this week in Long Island, New York, and gridlock traffic in the area has caused chaos on the roads heading to the course.

Players, caddies and media have been taking hours to get the course, with BBC Golf Correspondent Iain Carter saying that a five minute journey from local town Southampton took him an hour.

Tiger Woods is staying on his $20m yacht on the east of the island, which he referred to as his 'dinghy', and commented that someone may even miss their tee time due to the disruption.

Woods thinks traffic could cause a player to miss their tee time this week. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

“Staying on the dinghy helps,” he joked.

"There are a few guys so far this week have said it's taken them from the hotel 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and, you know, there's a good chance that someone might miss their time.

Tiger Woods' $20m yacht named "Privacy" docked in Florida in 2009. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images)

"You get a little traffic, you get maybe a little fender bender, it's not inconceivable someone could miss their time."

Whilst the traffic is causing nightmares, players like Woods with his yacht and Ian Poulter who came in on a helicopter aren't having problems with the traffic.

William McGirt joked that the USGA assumed everyone was coming in on helicopters:

Justin Rose's caddie Ian 'Fooch' Fulcher wrote on Twitter, "I wonder if the USGA truly consider the logistics of holding such a huge event in such a remote place...#TrafficJam"

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He also posted this video:

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GolfWeek's David Dusek tweeted a screenshot of the traffic early on Tuesday morning:

In total it took him two hours and 20 minutes to make a 40 mile trip to the course... at 5.30am in the morning. What is is going to be like during tournament week?

Richie Ramsay's caddie tweeted, "2hrs 56 I’ve been going still 4 mile away, took me 24mins last night to get back!"

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He also posted a screenshot of his journey and called it "the worst traffic experience in 15 years on tour".

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The action gets underway on Thursday as Brooks Koepka defends the title he won last year at Erin Hills. View tee times here.

Let's hope everyone makes their tee time!

For all the latest US Open news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels

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 manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV