You’ve probably heard the rumors that Oakmont is the hardest golf course in the world. People love to say that. They talk about the stimpmeter hitting 15 and the bunkers being "graveyards." But honestly? That’s only half the story for the US Open golf 2025.
If you’re looking at the 125th edition of this championship, which is set for June 12-15, you aren't just looking at a "hard" golf course. You’re looking at a complete psychological war zone. Oakmont Country Club, sitting just outside Pittsburgh, is hosting its record-breaking 10th US Open. No other course in America has done that.
The USGA isn't just bringing the best players in the world to Pennsylvania to see who can hit a high draw. They’re bringing them there to see who breaks first.
Why the US Open Golf 2025 is Different This Time
The course has changed.
If you remember Dustin Johnson winning in 2016, you might think you know the layout. You don't. Architect Gil Hanse finished a massive restoration in late 2023 specifically for this week.
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They basically stripped away the "safety nets." In 2016, a lot of the greens had these slight "flare-ups" on the edges. If you hit a shot slightly offline, it might get caught and stay on the green. Hanse and his team shaved those down. Now? Those greens are like tabletops. If you’re two feet off your mark, your ball isn't staying put. It’s trickling into a bunker or 40 yards down a hill.
It's brutal.
The Church Pews and New Traps
The "Church Pews" bunker between the 3rd and 4th holes is still there, obviously. It’s 100 yards of grass-covered ridges that look like, well, church pews. But they’ve added new wrinkles. On the 4th hole—a par 5 that stretches over 600 yards—there’s a new diagonal cross bunker.
If you try to go for it in two, you’re basically gambling with your entire tournament.
Who Actually Has a Chance at Oakmont?
Everyone is talking about Scottie Scheffler. He’s the heavy favorite, and for good reason. The guy is a machine. Coming off a 2025 PGA Championship win, he’s looking to grab the third leg of the career grand slam.
But Oakmont doesn't care about your world ranking.
Look at the history here. Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Dustin Johnson. This is a "Big Boy" golf course. It rewards power, but more importantly, it rewards the guys who can lag putt from 40 feet on glass.
- Scottie Scheffler: The betting favorite (+280). His ball-striking is statistically the best we've seen since Prime Tiger.
- Bryson DeChambeau: The defending champ. He proved at Pinehurst that he can play "boring" golf when he needs to.
- Rory McIlroy: He’s coming off a Masters win earlier this year. The "Major Drought" talk is dead, but can he handle the mental grind of Oakmont's greens?
- Xander Schauffele: He hasn't missed a cut in 65 starts despite a rib injury earlier this year. He’s the model of consistency.
The LIV Golf Factor
The US Open golf 2025 is also notable because the USGA finally created a direct path for LIV Golf players. They added a specific exemption for the top player in the LIV individual standings (as of May 19). It’s a huge shift. It means we’re getting the absolute best field possible, regardless of which tour they call home.
Getting There: Tickets and Logistics
If you’re thinking about heading to Pittsburgh, be prepared to pay. Gallery passes for the weekend rounds (Saturday and Sunday) are hovering around $299. If you want the fancy stuff, like the Trophy Club or the 1895 Club, you’re likely looking at the resale market because those sold out months ago.
The schedule is pretty standard for a major:
- Monday–Wednesday (June 9-11): Practice rounds. This is honestly the best time to go if you want to actually see the players’ faces and not just the back of a 6-foot-tall guy in a polo shirt.
- Thursday–Friday (June 12-13): The first two rounds. The cut happens Friday evening. Only the top 60 (and ties) make it to the weekend.
- Saturday–Sunday (June 14-15): The "Moving Day" drama and the final walk.
What Most People Get Wrong About Oakmont
Most fans think the difficulty is in the length. It’s not. At 7,372 yards (par 70), it’s long, but these guys hit 340-yard drives like they’re nothing.
The real teeth of the course are the ditches and the bunkers. There are 168 bunkers on the course. That’s actually fewer than there used to be, but the ones that remain are deeper. The USGA has fortified the front walls. If you’re in a fairway bunker, you aren't going for the green. You’re punching out sideways and praying for a par.
And the greens? They’ll be rolling at a 15 on the stimpmeter. To put that in perspective, your local muni is probably an 8 or a 9. Putting on Oakmont is like trying to stop a marble on a car hood.
The Actionable Game Plan for Fans
If you're watching the US Open golf 2025 from home or heading to the course, keep an eye on Hole 1. It’s a 488-yard par 4. In 2016, it was the hardest opening hole in championship history.
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Players will be lucky to start their day with a 4. If someone goes bogey-bogey to start, don't count them out. At Oakmont, "hanging on for dear life" is a valid strategy.
Next Steps for You:
Check the weather for Oakmont, PA. June in Pennsylvania is usually humid and prone to afternoon thunderstorms. If the course gets baked out and stays firm, expect the winning score to be over par. If it rains, the long hitters will have a massive advantage as the greens soften up.
Keep an eye on the Friday afternoon "cut line" drama; it's usually where the most heartbreaking stories of the week happen.