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Shinnecock Hills hosts US Open for fourth time

Shinnecock Hills Country Club, a links-style layout on the eastern end of New York's Long Island, will host the US Open for the fourth time next week, 108 years after the major championship was first played there.

Opened in 1892 with 12 holes, Shinnecock Hills was one of five clubs which, in 1894, founded the Amateur Golf Association of America (later renamed the United States Golf Association).

It became the first 18-hole course in the US in 1895. The following year, Shinnecock Hills staged the US Amateur and US Open on consecutive days.

The course, a par-70 layout which measures 6,996 yards, has been lengthened by 44 yards since the US Open was last held there in 1995, when Corey Pavin won the title by two shots after hitting a superb four-wood to within five feet at the last hole.

Shinnecock Hills first staged the US Open in 1896, when Chicago Golf Club professional James Foulis beat defending champion Horace Rawlins by three strokes.

Raymond Floyd won the 1986 title there by two shots over Chip Beck and Lanny Wadkins, reeling off birdies at 11, 13 and 16 on his way to a final-round 66.

The layout has also hosted the US Amateur, in 1896, the US Women's Amateur, in 1990, and the 1977 Walker Cup amateur team competition between the US and Great Britain and Ireland.

Here is a hole-by-hole look at the course:

No. 1 par four, 393 yards

A relatively gentle opening hole, this is the second shortest par four on the course and provides a good birdie opportunity. Most players will avoid using a driver, given the tight fairway and thick rough.

No. 2 par three, 226 yards

The longest of the par threes at Shinnecock, this hole plays uphill to a long, well-bunkered green. Best strategy is to land the approach short of the upward-sloping green.

No. 3 par four, 478 yards

This straightaway par four has been lengthened since the 1995 US Open with the addition of a new tee. Ideal shot off the tee is to the bottom of the final hill, setting up a short-iron approach into a flat green.

No. 4 par four, 435 yards

The first of the holes that play into the prevailing south-westerly wind, this left-to-right dogleg is a challenge. A fairway bunker guards the dogleg and care is needed approaching an elevated, undulating green.

No. 5 par five, 537 yards

The first of Shinnecock's two par fives, this hole is another good birdie opportunity. Although very reachable in two, the green can be difficult to hold.

No. 6 par four, 474 yards

A daunting par four with a blind landing zone for shots off the tee. The second shot here is likely to be a mid-iron approach over a water hazard on the right into a tricky green, protected by a front-left bunker.

No. 7 par three, 189 yards

The renowned "Redan Hole" also plays into the prevailing wind. Most tee shots here roll to the back left of a green that slopes from right to left.

No. 8 par four, 398 yards

This par four has been lengthened by 30 yards since 1995, but remains the third shortest hole on the course. Despite a blind shot off the tee, a fairway wood will leave a short-iron approach into a large green.

No. 9 par four, 443 yards

A challenging par four that features an undulating fairway and a significant rise from the required landing area to an elevated green. Fans have a spectacular view of the entire course from above the green.

No. 10 par four, 412 yards

A testing par four that requires pinpoint strategy off the tee into a fairway that slopes severely downwards from 250 yards out. The most sensible approach into a fast-running, elevated green is to the center.

No. 11 par three, 158 yards

The shortest hole on the course, this par three is exposed to the wind and can be difficult to birdie. It plays uphill to a small green with a steep slope at the back.

No. 12 par four, 468 yards

The longest par four on the back nine, this hole has an elevated tee and plays with the prevailing wind. A reasonably receptive fairway and an unprotected green make this another good birdie opportunity.

No. 13 par four, 370 yards

A deceptively short par four that is difficult to birdie. The fairway here is narrow and well-bunkered while the raised green is shaped like an upturned saucer, making it tricky to hold.

No. 14 par four, 443 yards

Another challenging par four with an elevated tee, a tight fairway and a green that sits in a saddle at the top of a slope.

No. 15 par four, 403 yards

An accurate drive on this downhill dogleg right will set up a short-iron approach into a fairly flat green -- and the last of the second nine's good birdie opportunities. Care must be taken not to miss the green to the right.

No. 16 par five, 540 yards

If the prevailing wind is blowing, this par five is unreachable in two. Precision is needed for the third shot into a small and narrow green ringed by five bunkers.

No. 17 par three, 179 yards

Shortened by seven yards since the 1995 US Open, this par three has a flat but well protected green, with three bunkers to the front left. A draw landing just short of the green is probably the best play.

No. 18 par four, 450 yards

A superb finishing hole, this par four requires a middle-iron approach into an elevated green that runs upwards from the front to the back.

Corey Pavin hit a four-wood here from 228 yards to within five feet of the flag to set up his two-shot victory at the 1995 US Open.
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