Why does US Open still play the long game?

Ahead of the US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin this week, the United States Golf Association (USGA) is rightfully nervous. 

Historically regarded as the toughest test of all the major championships, many of the leading lights in the game are now openly critical of the USGA’s running of the event.

There have been self- inflicted controversies such as the selection of the poorly conditioned Chambers Bay in 2015 and the ridiculous final round farce last year at Oakmont which saw Dustin Johnson (as well as the entire audience watching the event) take on the final seven holes not knowing whether he would be assessed a one-shot penalty or not.