Photo: Dan Perry

The U.S.Golf Association is under intense scrutiny as it prepares to stage next week's U.S.Open at Erin Hills golf course in Erin, Wisconsin.

Two years ago, at Chambers Bay in Washington state, the USGA appeared ignorant of the fact that the greens were so bumpy they were not fit to stage a monthly medal, never mind one of the big four majors.

"They were simply the worst,  most disgraceful surfaces I have ever seen on any tour," professional golfer Ian Poulter said at the time.

Then came last year's handling of the Dustin Johnson fiasco, which left no one knowing the leader's score throughout most of the final round at Oakmont in Tenneessee. 

Thankfully, Johnson's contentious one-stroke penalty, which came after he was deemed to have caused his ball to move on the fifth green, did not affect the eventual outcome as the current world number one brilliantly closed out his first major title.

After damaging controversies at the last two U.S.Opens, former world number one Adam Scott described organizers as "panicky," and when asked if he thought the USGA was "feeling the heat," he replied, "Absolutely."

"They've taken criticism for the last two years," Scott said. "I'm sure they're not liking it.They're going to have to try to run a really good event."