U.S. Open: Multiple major champion slams "worst golf rule change I've ever seen"

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington has strongly criticised a golf rule change that was introduced several years ago.

Golf's rule makers decided in 2019 to reduce the amount of time players at all levels had to find a lost golf ball. 

Before the switch, golfers were allowed up to five minutes to locate a lost ball but the USGA and R&A decided to make the change in an effort to speed up pace of play. 

The issue is particularly pertinent as the third men's major of the year, the U.S. Open, is being staged at Shinnecock Hills where competitors in the 156-man field are more than likely to find the knee-high fescue at the Long Island layout. 

Harrington told the Life on Tour podcast that the rule was changed for the wrong reason, adding: "So, they changed the rule because amateur golfers were taking 10 minutes, nine, 10 minutes, instead of five.

"So they decided, well, if they're taking twice the time, let's cut it back to three, and then they'll probably look for five. That's the logic behind it. There is zero logic in that."

He added: "The fact of the matter is, it should be five and a strict five

"It's up to the amateurs to look for five minutes. The professionals, we all look for three minutes. You know, the minute we hit the zone to look for the golf ball, my caddie will start a stopwatch. That's it.

"And if I'm playing with somebody that doesn't start a stopwatch, I'm not happy. As in, you start your own stopwatch and you know three minutes is up. It's not three minutes, five seconds, but three minutes goes incredibly quickly.

"You walk down there and you could be a minute, minute and a half looking for the ball on your own because obviously if you've hit it in a bush, everybody knows you've got to look for it. 

"But if you hit it in the rough, a lot of times people go, you'll be all right. They go down to their own, and then all of a sudden, by the time they arrive to look for your ball."

Harrington qualified for the 2026 U.S. Open, his first since 2023, by winning the Senior Open Championship last summer. 

The 54-year-old, who played the opening round alongside talented 17-year-old amateur Miles Russell, endured a tough start by playing his first seven holes in four-over par. 

Before the U.S. Open began, he told reporters that he still believes he has the ability to win another major. 

Phil Mickelson is the oldest male golfer to win one of the big four, courtesy of his PGA Championship heroics at Kiawah Island in 2021 aged 50. 

"The US Open is the one that suits me the most because it usually has a very strong element of mental fortitude and being able to deal with the good and the bad breaks," Harrington said.

"I like the style of US Open golf courses in general, the heavy rough doesn't scare me whatsoever. They are the ones that I go into where I am quite comfortable with the test."

Harrington was among the early starters and delighted viewers with an hilarious interview during a two-hour weather delay due to fog. 

Watch that here: