PITTSBURGH – After the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where 45 players finished under par, expectations for the upcoming US Open at Oakmont are dramatically different. The Oakmont membership has expressed a desire for a challenging tournament, aiming for the possibility that no players finish under par during the championship next month.
Jeff Hall, the USGA Managing Director of Rules and Open Championships, emphasized Oakmont’s reputation for difficulty, stating, “Every change that was made always seemed to add difficulty.” He described the challenge as one that requires precise golf skills, stating, “Not in an arrogant way… but you’ve got to play precise golf. That is what a USGA championship is all about.”
John Bodenhamer, the USGA Chief Championships Officer, echoed these sentiments, encouraging players to utilize all their clubs. “We want the players to get every club in their bag dirty,” he said, emphasizing the importance of skill and strategy necessary to succeed at Oakmont.
The history of the US Open at Oakmont reflects its challenging nature, with past champions often finishing over par. For instance, Tommy Armour won in 1927 with a score of +13, while modern greats like Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus faced tough competition with finishing scores of -5 and -1, respectively.
Bodenhamer quoted Oakmont’s architect, Henry Fownes, remarking, “The clumsy, the spineless, the alibi artists stand aside. A shot poorly played should be a shot irrevocably lost,” encapsulating the philosophy that governs play at Oakmont.
John Lynch, President of Oakmont Country Club, expressed pride in the venue’s legacy, noting, “It matters where the pros win their championships,” which supports its esteemed status as part of the US Open rotation.
Looking to the future, Oakmont has a 25-year partnership with the USGA, promising to host three more US Opens and additional events, solidifying the club’s role as a historic test of golf.
As the US Open approaches, the excitement for Oakmont’s challenging setup is palpable, with hopes high for showcasing the true caliber of golf that this historic course demands.