Approaching Oakmont Country Club from the southwest, the course surprises you. Hulton Road, lined with charming homes, leads to the property. Even the familiar green clubhouse serves as a buffer between the tranquil neighborhood and one of golf`s most demanding challenges.
Inside the clubhouse, history is ever-present; it has hosted the U.S. Open ten times, more than any other course. Stepping outside reveals the formidable track, a stark contrast to the calm entrance.
As Jon Rahm observed, “When you stand on the first tee, 10th tee, 18, 9, you get a layout of the whole property. You get to see the entirety of it, as beautiful as it is.”
The immense green expanse stretches across 191 acres, appearing boundless. From the back of the clubhouse, you can spot 17 of the 18 flags, almost mockingly implying, “What`s the fuss? It`s all right here.”
View of the ninth green at Oakmont Country Club.
This revered golf cathedral, synonymous with the U.S. Open, is stunning yet unforgiving. This week, 156 players from around the world arrive, ready to be tested by Henry Fownes` unique design, each hoping to prove they can master it.
Jeff Hall, part of four USGA setup teams at Oakmont, calls it “the most stressful place to play a U.S. Open.” He adds, “The U.S. Open is supposed to be difficult for the right reasons, it`s supposed to be challenging. It`s about the mental test, the emotional test, the physical test. It`s all of those things. But at Oakmont, it`s all ratcheted up.”
Though stars like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau are competing, Oakmont itself is the true main character this week. Players have four rounds to demonstrate they are worthy of sharing its challenging spotlight.
Scottie Scheffler stated, “This is probably the hardest golf course that we`ll play. Maybe ever.”
Oakmont`s Enduring Reputation for Difficulty
The concept of the `true U.S. Open` has evolved. While once characterized by deep rough and dense trees, the USGA now embraces variety, selecting courses like Los Angeles Country Club with wider fairways and distinct contours. The focus has shifted from merely forcing high scores to honoring the original intent of great architects and their designs.
Golf course architect Gil Hanse, who led Oakmont`s 2023 restoration, noted, “They`re recognizing the original architecture and they`re embracing it. They`re not trying to fit a model.”
Oakmont embodies this approach, with its original design by Henry Fownes and subsequent modifications always aiming to increase difficulty. Winning scores here are historically high; in nine previous Opens, none were below 5-under par, and only 2% of participants finished under par.
Hanse recalled, “One of the things that has been consistent with Oakmont from day one… they liked this place tough. It`s the only time I`ve ever come out of a meeting with members where we presented the master plan and it was very, very clear to me that the message was: it better not be easier when you`re done.”
Hall explained that Oakmont`s club culture allows it to host the U.S. Open readily. The primary setup change is growing the rough to over five inches. The challenge lies in balancing weather, green speeds, and pin placements to achieve difficulty without becoming impossible.
Hall used an analogy: “You can`t let it go too far. When you ride Secretariat, you have to hold the reins.”
Beyond difficulty, Oakmont demands complexity. Unlike courses where you learn where to miss (like Augusta National), Oakmont`s thick rough, tricky tee shots, and lightning-fast greens (up to 15 on the Stimpmeter) dictate safe zones and make reaching them arduous. It requires both power for yardage and rough, and finesse for controlling shots onto small green targets. Crucially, it demands strategic thinking for every shot.
Justin Thomas commented, “You go to a place like this, [the USGA] don`t need to set it up any differently or trick it up or do anything for it to challenge both the physical and mental part of our game. Oakmont is challenging in both of those aspects. If you just get lazy, like on any drive, any wedge shot, any chip, any putt, you can kind of look stupid pretty fast.”
Patience is vital for awkward lies or bad breaks. Discipline is key, especially around tempting pin locations. Mistakes must be quickly corrected and forgotten; letting them accumulate will ruin a round or tournament.
Collin Morikawa noted, “You know you`re going to get penalized even on good shots, and that`s just part of this golf course. I don`t think people understand how thick the rough is. This is just thick. Clubs will turn over.”
Indeed, Oakmont is punishing, with its penal bunkers. And yes, it can feel `impossible,` as McIlroy described his practice round. Yet, past champions like Dustin Johnson, Ángel Cabrera, Johnny Miller, and Jack Nicklaus show it can be conquered.
Rory McIlroy during a practice round near the famous `Church Pews` bunker on the third hole.
This is a course that doesn`t just favor greatness; it actively demands it.
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau commented, “I think everybody knows this is probably the toughest golf course in the world right now. It`s not like every single hole is Winged Foot out here. You can`t just bomb it on every single hole and blast over bunkers and have a wedge run up to the front of the green. I think this golf course you have to be just a fraction more strategic, especially with the rough is so long.”
Some players find the greens excessively difficult due to speed or slope. Michael Kim controversially called them `Mickey Mouse` while also acknowledging that modern golf requires `a lot of what Oakmont has` to test the best players.
Thomas, who finished 8-over in 2016, added, “I understand this place is hard. I don`t need to read articles, or I don`t need to hear horror stories. I`ve played it. I know it`s difficult.”
The context of Oakmont`s difficulty is crucial. With regular tour events and some majors seeing increasingly low scores due to equipment and course setups favoring distance, Oakmont`s return feels like a refreshing challenge. Players understand its nature; as Xander Schauffele put it, “We`re all playing the same course, and it`s going to be hard. You may think something`s unfair, but it doesn`t really matter at the end of the day. Whoever can sort of deal with it the best is going to play well. That`s the attitude I`ve had, look at it as a fun challenge versus feeling like you`re living in a nightmare.”
Throughout the week, videos have circulated showcasing the difficulty of playing from the rough or holding the greens. This reinforces the narrative that even top players might struggle over 72 holes.
Grounds crew maintaining the thick rough beside the 11th green during a practice round.
Hall sees their role simply: “All we`re trying to do is build the theater. We`re trying to make sure that it`s a complete effort. When you put your hands on that trophy Sunday night, you`ve played complete golf from tee to green for 72 holes.”
While some player frustration might emerge, most appear prepared to accept the challenge. Some even view potential peer dissent as a mental advantage.
Justin Thomas admitted, “Being perfectly honest and very selfish, I hope it psyches a lot of players out. It`s a part of the preparation, like trying to go hit wedges or trying to get the speed of the greens or anything. It`s getting a game plan for how you`re going to approach the course mentally and strategically.”
Oakmont`s reputation allows it to embrace extreme difficulty. Hanse found it `freeing` to work on a course where toughness is inherent. Even the sight of groundkeepers using leaf-blowers to make the rough thicker is framed as Oakmont and the USGA leaning into the course`s challenging personality, not just making it hard arbitrarily.
Hanse reflected, “It`s a very fine line between what`s challenging, what`s good architecture, what`s too much. And I think here you`ve got a situation where it`s never too much. I mean, it`s almost like their mantra was, `Okay, let`s just keep pushing it to a certain limit.`”
The true limit of Oakmont`s difficulty and how close the USGA will push it remains to be seen. Weather, particularly forecasted rain, will play a role; Hanse predicts an over-par winning score if it stays dry. While some players may still express frustration, many recognize that the intense challenge creates compelling entertainment for viewers.
As Xander Schauffele candidly put it, “I don`t think people turn the TV on to watch some of the guys just hit like a 200-yard shot on the green, you know what I mean? I think they turn on the U.S. Open to see a guy shoot 8-over and suffer. That`s part of the enjoyment of the U.S. Open for viewers.”
After nine years, all eyes return to Oakmont.
Let the suffering begin.
Adrian Whitmore