SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Even at Shinnecock Hills, one of America’s toughest courses preparing to host golf’s toughest test, one has to wonder what Arnold Palmer might say about winning a U.S. Open.It was in 1960 at Cherry Hills when Palmer was seven shots behind going into the final round. Before heading to the first tee, where the King famously drove the first green, he turned to Bob Drum of the Pittsburgh Press and said: “What if I shoot 65? Doesn’t 280 always win the Open?”Palmer shot 65, finished at 280 and won the U.S. Open.The standard has improved mightily in the six decades since then. Players have never been better equipped through all facets of technology. They are bigger and stronger. Yes, these guys are good.Good enough to break par, even at a U.S. Open.That’s what annoyed Tom Kite when he played the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Kite made it through a 36-hole qualifier at age 54 and then made the cut. But he shot 84 in the final round, a day when no one broke par and the average score was 78.7.“We’ve got the best players in the world, and if they can’t shoot under par, it’s got to be out of control,” Kite said that day. “Any golf course should give up a 65, 66 or 67 every day. If it doesn’t give up that kind of score, it’s over the edge.”Retief Goosen found a way. Someone always does. Goosen shot 4-under 276 to win by two over Phil Mickelson, who remains the only player to finish under par at Shinnecock without winning.Kite, however, raised an interesting point considering the standard of play, which is even greater now than it was 22 years ago.If players back in Palmer’s prime felt 280 was good enough to win the U.S. Open, should it not be lower now? Scores have been coming down as long as golf has been played, part of the evolution of golf and other sports.That’s not to say 280 doesn’t always win the U.S. Open. Brooks Koepka won at 281 w …
