OAKMONT, Pa. — Approaching Oakmont Country Club from the southwest, the golf course seems to emerge subtly. The tree-lined Hulton Road leading to the property is bordered by charming houses. Even when the iconic green clubhouse appears, it acts as a divider between the quiet neighborhood and one of golf`s most formidable challenges.
Inside the clubhouse, the venue`s rich history is evident everywhere. It has hosted the U.S. Open 10 times, more than any other course in the country. Stepping out the back door, the demanding layout unfolds dramatically.
“When you stand on the first tee, 10th tee, 18, 9, you get a layout of the whole property,” observed golfer Jon Rahm. “You get to see the entirety of it, as beautiful as it is.”
The vast 191 acres of green grass seem limitless. From behind the clubhouse, you can see 17 of the 18 flags, almost as if the course is inviting you: “What`s the concern? It`s all right here.”
This historic course, often referred to as a `cathedral` of golf and deeply linked with the U.S. Open, is indeed stunning. However, it`s also a rigorous test, ready to deliver its notorious difficulty. This week, 156 players from around the world have arrived to face the challenge of the only course ever designed by Henry Fownes, each hoping to prove they have the skill to conquer it.
Jeff Hall, who has been involved in four USGA setups at Oakmont, shared his perspective: “I truly believe that Oakmont is the most stressful place to play a U.S. Open. The U.S. Open is meant to be challenging for legitimate reasons, testing you mentally, emotionally, and physically. At Oakmont, all these factors are intensified.”
While Scottie Scheffler is currently ranked number one and a leading favorite, and players like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau are also present, they aren`t the main focus this week. The true star of this tournament is Oakmont itself. Every competitor will have four rounds to demonstrate if they are worthy of sharing the spotlight.
“This is probably the hardest golf course that we`ll play,” said Scottie Scheffler. “Maybe ever.”
The understanding of a `true U.S. Open` has evolved over time. While thick rough and abundant trees were once standard, the USGA now selects host courses like Los Angeles Country Club, where wider fairways and natural contours are key features. The past focus on forcing high, over-par winning scores has shifted towards honoring the original design intentions of the country`s best courses. Variety in courses, required shots, and playing styles is now highly valued.
Oakmont exemplifies a course whose original design and subsequent modifications over decades since its 1903 founding have centered on one principle: making the course increasingly difficult. Evidence of this lies in its history; across nine previous major championships, the winning score has never dipped below 5-under par. Historically, only a tiny fraction – 2% of 1,385 players – have finished a major championship at Oakmont under par.
Golf course architect Gil Hanse, who led the 2023 restoration efforts, noted, “One consistent aspect of Oakmont since architect Henry Fownes created it, and a very clear message from the membership, is their preference for a tough course. It`s the only time I`ve presented a master plan to members and received the unequivocal message: it better not be easier when you`re done.”
Hall commented that Oakmont`s inherent difficulty allows it to host a U.S. Open on short notice, somewhat simplifying the USGA`s setup task. The primary change is growing the rough to the five-plus inches seen this week. The greater challenge is balancing factors like weather, green speeds, hole locations, and tee boxes to navigate the fine line between a tough test and an impossible one.
“You can`t let it go too far,” Hall stated. “When you ride Secretariat, you have to hold the reins.”
With Hanse`s restoration work and the USGA`s setup, difficulty isn`t the only element; Oakmont is also profoundly complex. While players learn where to strategically miss at courses like Augusta National, Oakmont`s dense rough, deceptive tee shots, and challenging greens, running at speeds up to 15 on the Stimpmeter, offer few safe places to miss. Instead, the course identifies safe zones and makes reaching them exceedingly difficult.
Power and strength are needed to handle its length and the density of the rough. Precision is also crucial to carve shots with the right trajectory and spin to land on specific, limited areas of the demanding greens. Regardless of whether your ball lands on the fairway or rough, or even on the green, you need sharp decision-making to figure out the best way to play your next shot.
“At a place like this, [the USGA] doesn`t need to modify the setup or add artificial tricks to test both the physical and mental aspects of our game,” said Justin Thomas. “Oakmont naturally challenges both. Any lapse in focus – on a drive, wedge, chip, or putt – can quickly lead to poor results.”
Patience is vital when faced with awkward lies in the rough or unlucky bounces. Discipline is a must, especially when resisting tempting pin positions even from the middle of the fairway. Mistakes must be corrected and forgotten quickly; letting them accumulate will swiftly end your round or even your tournament hopes.
“You know you`re going to be penalized even on good shots, and that`s just part of this golf course,” observed Collin Morikawa. “People don`t truly grasp how thick the rough is. It`s incredibly dense. It will twist your club face.”
Oakmont is undoubtedly punishing – its bunkers are both strategically placed and severely penal. As Rory McIlroy put it after a difficult practice round, Oakmont can feel “impossible.” Yet, the achievements of past champions like Dustin Johnson, Ángel Cabrera, Johnny Miller, and Jack Nicklaus demonstrate that greatness can indeed prevail here.
This is a course that doesn`t merely favor exceptional players; it demands an extraordinary performance.
“I think everyone understands this is likely the hardest golf course in the world right now,” stated defending champion Bryson DeChambeau. “It`s not like every hole is like Winged Foot where you can just power drives over bunkers and run a wedge up to the green. This course requires a bit more strategy, especially with the incredibly long rough.”
Some players might feel the greens are excessively difficult due to their speed or slope. Michael Kim described Oakmont`s varied greens as `Mickey Mouse` in a recent post, but also acknowledged that testing today`s elite players “requires a lot of what Oakmont has.”
“I know this place is hard,” said Justin Thomas, who finished tied for 32nd at 8-over in 2016. “I don`t need to read articles or hear cautionary tales. I`ve played it. I know its difficulty.”
Context is significant when considering whether Oakmont is too difficult or even unfair under U.S. Open conditions. With many regular PGA Tour events and even some major championships tending towards lower winning scores, often favoring a style of golf focused on distance due to equipment and setups, Oakmont`s return feels like a refreshing change. Even the players preparing for the challenging four days recognize this difference.
“We`re all competing on the same course, and it will be tough. You might feel something is unfair, but that doesn`t ultimately matter,” commented Xander Schauffele. “Whoever handles it best will perform well. That`s my perspective – seeing it as an enjoyable challenge rather than a nightmare scenario.”
Throughout the week, videos showing players struggling with getting the ball out of the rough, or the difficulty of holding greens and putting from above the hole, have been widespread. This has built the expectation that even the world`s best golfers might appear out of sorts over the 72 holes this week.
“Our only goal is to create the setting,” explained Hall. “We want to ensure that lifting that trophy on Sunday evening means you`ve played complete golf from tee to green for 72 holes.”
If player frustration is already simmering, the first two rounds may bring it to the surface as the course becomes drier, firmer, and tougher. However, most players seem prepared to accept the challenge. Some even see complaints from their peers as a potential advantage.
“To be perfectly honest and selfish, I hope it mentally affects many players,” Thomas admitted. “It`s part of preparing, like practicing wedge shots or green speeds. It`s developing a mental and strategic game plan for how you`ll approach the course.”
Oakmont`s reputation allows it to be more punishing than most venues. Hanse noted that working on Oakmont, where difficulty is inherent to the design, felt liberating. This explains why scenes of groundskeepers using leaf-blowers to fluff up the rough during practice rounds are framed as embracing the course`s character, not just arbitrarily increasing difficulty.
“There`s a very fine line between what`s challenging, what`s good architecture, and what`s too much,” Hanse said. “And I believe here, it`s never too much. It`s almost as if their guiding principle was, `Let`s just keep pushing it to a certain limit.`”
Where that limit lies and how close the USGA will push it remains to be seen. Weather is also a factor; rain is forecasted for the weekend, but Hanse anticipates an over-par winning score if the rain subsides. While some players might still be frustrated or dismissive of the challenge, others are aware that extreme difficulty also makes for compelling television, even if it`s at their own expense.
“I don`t think people watch TV to see players hit simple 200-yard shots onto the green,” Schauffele suggested. “I think they tune into the U.S. Open to see someone struggle, maybe shoot 8-over. That struggle is part of the viewer`s enjoyment.”
Nine years after its last appearance in the spotlight, all attention is once again on Oakmont.
The test is about to begin.
