'You're trying to birdie almost every hole': This won't be the Bethpage Black we're used to

This isn’t your grandfather’s Bethpage Black.

It’s not Brooks Koepka’s, either.

When Koepka lifted the Wanamaker Trophy in 2019, he did so with a winning score of 8 under on the Black Course, which has not yielded a 72-hole mark lower than 10 under in the five PGA Tour-recognized events it’s hosted. When Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open here 23 years ago, he was 3 under and the only player under par.

Ryder Cups on U.S. soil have traditionally invited low scoring, and this 45th edition likely won’t be any different.

The rough is inviting, a thin 2 inches or so.

The green speeds will be quick, pushing past 13 on the stimp, but Bethpage’s putting surfaces aren’t exactly known for their undulations.

And heavy rains this week have soaked an already receptive layout.

“I think Bethpage is a t