Fans wasted no time in roasting this year’s U.S. Open venue; just moments after the 123rd edition of the famed major reached its conclusion on Sunday.
Judging by golf fans’ reactions, the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club is set to go down as one of the most unpopular host venues of all time.
The USGA may have swung and missed big time by awarding LACC its prized event. The 123rd U.S. Open will be known as the major that broke all kinds of records, and not in a good way, at least judging by how the event was received by golf fans across social media just moments after Wyndham Clark became a major champion for the very first time.
The 29-year-old won the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship last month at Quail Hollow for his first PGA Tour win. On Sunday, he became the lowest-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking to win the Jack Nicklaus Medal since Graeme McDowell won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2010.
At 32nd in the OWGR, Wyndham Clark would be the lowest-ranked U.S. Open winner since Graeme McDowell in 2010 (37th).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 19, 2023
U.S. Open records fall like dominoes at LACC.
Rickie Fowler, who agonizingly missed out on another golden opportunity to break through the major barrier this week, certainly left his mark on this year’s major. The 34-year-old superstar has had a resurgent year in 2023, and he carried that momentum into the year’s third major championship.
Fowler, alongside Xander Schauffele, broke the major’s single-round record during their opening rounds’ at Los Angeles Country Club this week. LACC came under immediate fire after a pair of 62s led the way at what is annually supposed to be ‘golf’s toughest test’.
While scoring proved more difficult in the coming days, the U.S. Open records continued to fall like dominoes. Fowler once again etched his name in the history books after he tied the mark for the lowest 36-hole tally in U.S. Open history on Friday, and broke the record for the most birdies at the halfway point.
Rickie Fowler's 36-hole total score of 130 ties Martin Kaymer in 2014 for the lowest in U.S. Open history.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 17, 2023
His 18 birdies are the most through 36 holes in U.S. Open history.
Rory McIlroy, whose wait for another major win goes on, broke the record for the lowest 72-hole score at the U.S. Open by a player who didn’t win as Justin Ray alluded to.
Big stars coming up just short this week in Los Angeles, along with records being broken left, right, and center, an uninspiring environment with ‘capacity limitations’ for the major in LA, and a relatively unknown winner of the year’s third major provided the perfect recipe for fans to vent their frustrations with the USGA.
Fans Roast 2023 U.S. Open on Social Media.
One of the worst US opens ever
— Johnny (@jmaloneeeeee) June 19, 2023
One of the most "meh" US Opens of our generation. The @USGA continues to let down golfers around the world.
— Rob Zimmerman (@603Zim) June 19, 2023
Won’t go down as one of the more memorable US Opens for me
— FantasyGolfInsider (@FantasyGolfers) June 19, 2023
I mean…that was a full Mito by Wyndham there. Thank goodness that 18th fairway is wide enough to fit a Walmart.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 19, 2023
Looking forward to the many other options for US Opens in the Pacific time zone
— Whit Watson (@realWhitWatson) June 19, 2023
That said, never hold that tournament at LACC again. It was the most gimmicky tournament imaginable and made for one of the worst US Opens in my lifetime. The players made it watchable despite the course.
— Shoes (@IsItTheShoes926) June 19, 2023
Definitely blurring the line btw the PGA & US Opens.
— Pro Golf Critic (@ProGolfCritic) June 19, 2023
If there is one thing that the 123rd U.S. Open can lay claim to it’s that it certainly got people talking. Just wait until they hear that the major is scheduled to return to Los Angeles Country Club in 2039…Yikes!