ERIN -- Strong wind in the Milwaukee area has dried out the golf course at Erin Hills and prompted USGA officials to adjust plans for watering before Monday’s first official practice rounds for the 117th U.S. Open, according to USGA executive director/CEO Mike Davis.
In a video posted to the USGA Twitter account, Davis said Sunday that sustained winds between 15 and 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph were more than USGA officials anticipated in preparation for a firm, fast golf course. He indicated that Erin Hills staff would need to up amounts of water applied to the course overnight, especially on the large green complexes.
“I just got out of a meeting with superintendent and some of his key members of the grounds staff and we are going to have to put a good bit more water on the golf course just to make sure that the plants, particularly the putting greens stay healthy,” Davis said. “We don’t think we’re going to get that strong wind the week of (the championship), but nonetheless, it plays into it. We’re just having to adjust, as we should have to adjust, to Mother Nature.”
The forecast for the area calls for temperatures in the low to mid-80s during the three days of the practice rounds with a 60 percent chance of rain Monday, an 80 percent chance Tuesday and 50 percent on Wednesday. Rain chances between 20 and 60 percent are in the forecast through next weekend with temperatures Saturday and Sunday dropping into the high 70s.
