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Traffic Might Be So Bad Some Players Could Miss Their U.S. Open Tee Times

Rick Arnett /

Alarming traffic jams is one the unfortunate side stories at this week’s U.S. Open as folks crawl to Shinnecock Hills. So much that Tiger Woods believes some players could miss their tee times.

Golf.com’s Kiley Bense has the frustrating details that no doubt have players and media fuming.

“There are a few guys so far this week have said it’s taken them from the hotel 2 1/2 to 3 hours,” he said. “You know, there’s a good chance that someone might miss their time.”

Woods also agreed that his luxury yacht, called “Privacy,” where he’s staying during the tournament, helps him to avoid traffic snarls. “Yeah, staying on the dinghy helps.” 

A trip that is supposed to take 45 minutes has stretched into hours of sitting on the highway. Newsday reported on Monday that locals trying to get through the traffic had assumed there must be an accident.

“People are calling in, asking where is the accident, but there is no accident. Some people who were commuting to work gave up and went home,” Sgt. Michael Burns told the paper.

USGA executive director Mike Davis apologized to media members on Tuesday. “We have kind of a nightmare situation on our hands with the hotel,” he said. “I guess, for what it’s worth, we apologize. It sounds like the traffic is a borderline disaster. I’m not sure we necessarily anticipated that because we’ve used that hotel in the past.”

 

Geoff Shackelford Shinnecock Hills Tiger Woods traffic U.S. Open