Why Oakmont's par-3 8th hole is so controversial

Why Oakmont's par-3 8th hole is so controversial
A par-3 hole in golf is supposed to be a challenge in terms of hitting a tee shot that may not be a driver that gets the ball on to the green. But in terms of length? It isn't usually around 300 yards as far as I can tell.
But the U.S. Open is no typical test in golf. And Oakmont has a par-3 that is causing some controversy: it's No. 8, a par-3 that may play near 300 yards this week.
Shouldn't it be a short par-4? Nope! It's three shots for par this weekend. Let's dive in with some questions you might have:
What does No. 8 at Oakmont look like?
Here you go:
What have the pros said about the par-3 No. 8?
Here's Viktor Hovland, who likes a more old fashioned par-3:
Xander Schuffele seemed to brush it off:
Jack Nicklaus had this to say at The Memorial, via Golf.com:
When a reporter revealed that the 8th would actually play to 299 yards this year, Nicklaus shot back, 'Well that's crazy. But that's what they do. But it is downhill.'
Is the par-3 controversial because it's so long?
Seems that way.
What's the longest par-3 in U.S. Open history?
Back in 2016, Golfweek said it was this one!

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