A Test Like No Other: US Open at Oakmont Pushes Golf’s Best to Their Limits

As the 2025 US Open prepares to tee off at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, the mood among golf’s elite isn’t just one of excitement—it’s a cautious mix of anticipation and anxiety. For Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, the verdict was swift and unequivocal.

“This is probably the hardest golf course that we’ll play,” he said. “Maybe ever.”

Coming from a player who has made it look almost too easy at Augusta National and on other major stages, that’s a serious statement. But it’s not hyperbole. Oakmont has a notorious reputation—one that’s not built on legend but on facts. It’s hosted more U.S. Opens than any other venue, and no player has ever finished better than 5-under-par in victory. This course doesn’t just test skill—it demands mental toughness and tactical brilliance.

Scheffler is widely seen as the favorite this week. But even for someone at the top of the sport, Oakmont doesn’t offer many comforts. The course’s unique set of challenges—be it the impossibly thick rough, penal fairway bunkers, or infamously fast greens—mean even the best can look average here.

A Completely Different Beast

Comparing Oakmont to other major venues, Scheffler used a cross-sport analogy to make his point.

“If majors were like tennis, you’d be playing on a completely different surface here,” he said. “The Masters and the U.S. Open are just different games. The strategies don’t transfer.”

At Augusta, errant shots might still allow creative recovery options—flop shots, bump-and-runs, and imaginative play. Oakmont, on the other hand, offers no such grace. Miss a green here, and you’re probably buried in thick rough that grabs your club like a vise.

“There’s not really a Plan B,” Scheffler explained. “You miss long here and you’re just trying to hack it out and save bogey.”

That kind of punishment is what makes Oakmont both revered and feared. It’s a place where precision is everything, and anything less leads to chaos.

Bryson DeChambeau: You Can’t Muscle Through Oakmont

Even big hitters like Bryson DeChambeau aren’t immune. Known for overpowering golf courses with his muscle-bound game, DeChambeau is approaching Oakmont with more caution than swagger.

“You can’t just bomb your way around this place,” DeChambeau said. “You have to be strategic—every shot, every decision matters.”

In preparation, DeChambeau recorded a full practice round on his YouTube channel, showing each shot en route to an even-par 70. That’s a score that would often seem pedestrian for him—but at Oakmont, it’s impressive.

“It’s not like Winged Foot,” said DeChambeau, referencing his 2020 U.S. Open victory. “There, I could fly bunkers and hit wedges into greens. Here? Maybe on a few holes, but mostly, you’ve got to play chess.”

The course doesn’t allow players to muscle past the hazards. Deep bunkers with steep lips, rough so thick it can turn a clubface 45 degrees, and undulating greens that require perfect touch—all combine to force a more nuanced approach.

Collin Morikawa: “Nothing Can Prepare You for This”

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa didn’t get to Oakmont early this year. Instead, he watched DeChambeau’s video to get a feel for the course. But stepping onto the grounds in person was a reality check.

“I don’t think people realize how different this is until you’re standing there,” Morikawa said. “The rough isn’t just thick—it’s vicious. You’re going to see guys take a pitching wedge and watch the ball shoot off at crazy angles. It’s that brutal.”

The visual intimidation of Oakmont is one thing. The psychological weight is another. Morikawa admitted he tried to forget much of what he’d seen on video in order to approach the course with a clearer mind.

“If you walk in thinking about everything that could go wrong, you’ve already lost,” he said. “You have to reframe it: fairways, greens, and a patient mindset.”

Justin Thomas: Hoping Others Get Psyched Out

While most players admit Oakmont is a beast, Justin Thomas sees opportunity in the mental challenge.

“Honestly, I hope it does psyche out some players,” Thomas said with a grin. “That’s part of the game. You’ve got to manage your emotions, your expectations, and come in with a solid plan. No horror stories for me—I’ve played it. I know it’s hard. But that’s the U.S. Open.”

Thomas emphasized how crucial preparation is—not just in practicing shots but mentally locking in a strategy that you can stick to when things inevitably go sideways.

“You’ll miss greens here. You’ll be in trouble. It’s about minimizing the damage and bouncing back,” he said.

Jon Rahm: “This Is What the U.S. Open Should Be”

Former U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm echoed those sentiments, pointing out that Oakmont offers the kind of test the U.S. Open is known for.

“This is going to be one of the toughest weeks of the year,” Rahm said. “But that’s how it should be. The U.S. Open should push us to our limits. And Oakmont does that better than any course.”

Rahm sees Oakmont as a leveling field. It doesn’t cater to any one type of player—it demands excellence in all facets.

“Everybody is playing the same course,” Rahm said. “No one is getting an advantage. That’s why I love it. It’s about execution, resilience, and keeping your cool.”

Mother Nature Could Be the X-Factor

One unpredictable element that could tip the scales is the weather. Rain is in the forecast for the weekend, and its arrival—or absence—could have a massive impact.

If the rain doesn’t come, the greens will dry out and speed up—fast. Players are already noticing the pace increasing in practice rounds.

“Greens are already starting to cook,” Morikawa noted. “Add some sun and wind, and they’ll be lightning.”

Lightning-fast greens on top of sloping surfaces are a nightmare for any golfer. At Oakmont, where subtle breaks can send putts racing past the hole, that becomes a recipe for high scores and frayed nerves.

Source: Scheffler wary of Oakmont’s challenges ahead of U.S. Open

The Final Verdict: Survival Is the Name of the Game

So what can fans expect this week? Don’t look for low scores. Don’t expect a birdie-fest. This will be a survival contest.

A handful of players might figure out the puzzle, but even they will have to grind. The U.S. Open at Oakmont is more than a golf tournament—it’s a rite of passage. And come Thursday, the battle begins.

If Scheffler, DeChambeau, Morikawa, Thomas, or Rahm walk away with the trophy, they will have earned it the hard way—by conquering a course that gives nothing for free and punishes the slightest error.

At Oakmont, par is gold, bogey is acceptable, and double-bogey lurks at every turn. This isn’t about who can go lowest—it’s about who can hang on the longest.

Let the gauntlet begin.

Read More: As Aaron Rodgers Arrives, T.J. Watt Departs: Steelers Face Offseason Crossroads