America 250: Bobby Jones and U.S. Open Challenges

Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia. He emerged as one of the greatest amateur golfers in history. Remarkably, at 14, he reached the third round of the U.S. Amateur, indicating his early potential. Jones went on to win 13 major championships, all as an amateur, a record still unbroken.

Wyndham Clark maintained a six-shot lead through 54 holes at the U.S. Open on a Saturday evening. As he finished his third round at Shinnecock Hills, the sparse galleries were notable. Shinnecock Hills, a prestigious championship golf course, presents logistical challenges due to its Long Island, New York location. Transporting tens of thousands of fans to and from the property is difficult.

Matthew Fitzpatrick from England walked the 18th hole during the third round of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 20, 2026, in Southampton, New York.

The morning and early afternoon saw large and engaged crowds. However, the atmosphere dwindled as the final groups finished their rounds. Clark commented on the subdued energy, noting it was unfortunate that key moments seemed flat due to the sparse attendance.

Criticism emerged regarding the sparse crowds, with the final pairing of Matt Fitzpatrick and Clark teeing off at 3:45 p.m. The primary issue related to transportation logistics.

Fans primarily traveled from New York City via the Long Island Rail Road. This journey, while accommodating additional trains, required over a four-hour round trip with multiple stops. Many fans, including families, had limited options. They needed to catch a 6:07 p.m. train back to the city to return at a reasonable hour. The last train departed at 9:30 p.m., arriving at Grand Central after midnight.