US Open: Shane Lowry ready for 'true test of golf' 

The USGA has long been known for setting up championship courses with punishing rough.

STRAIGHT DOWN THE LINE: Shane Lowry on the third hole during practice for Thursday's US Open at Torrey Pines in California.  Picture: Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images

As someone who appreciates a “true test of golf,” Shane Lowry isn’t one to complain often. But the Offaly man has some criticism of one major aspect of the US Open test at Torrey Pines.

“I think the rough is actually too thick,” Lowry said this week as he prepares for his ninth US Open. “I think the rough being so thick actually takes a little bit of the skill level out of it. When it's off a tight lie, I think that's when there's more skill involved. There's a lot of times where you get around the greens and missing the green and it's a bit of a hit-and-hope and a bit of luck involved.”