Shinnecock seventh proves the toughest hole

The par-three seventh hole at Shinnecock Hills has been tough for the players all week, and it proved the toughest on the course in the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday.

"I'm a fan of the design of the greens but if you're going to have the design, it's got to play a certain way," world number two Ernie Els told reporters of the seventh.

"The greens have to be a little bit receptive. You have to hit good shots because it slopes right to left and away from you, and where they put the flag (on Saturday) and the way the green was playing, you had no chance."

Of the final 23 players, only 2 hit the green. Eight of the last 18 competitors bogeyed, one double-bogeyed and nine made par.

The seventh's scoring average in the third round was 3.485, ranking it the most difficult on the course.

One of the reasons for the difficulties could be traced directly to a greenkeeping error.

The plan was to leave the seventh green unrolled after Tuesday but it was rolled on Saturday morning.

"We gave them instructions not to roll it after Tuesday," said USGA Championship Committee chairman Walter Driver.

"A new member of the groundstaff, not withstanding instructions, rolled the green this morning."

A change of wind direction during the round made the hole even more treacherous. Rather than going into the faces of the players from the left, the wind moved directly downwind.

"Is it (the hole) fair? You tell me, I don't know," said U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson after his three-over 73 which included a double-bogey five at the seventh.