Oakmont Rough Has Golf’s Toughest Talking
The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club hasn’t even officially teed off, and the course is already drawing heated reactions. Two-time champion Bryson DeChambeau described it as “cooked beyond belief” after struggling through the notorious rough during early practice rounds. His verdict? “That’s burnt to a crisp”—a harsh but honest take on the punishing five-inch grass and treacherous layout.
DeChambeau Battles the Beast
In a preview video on his YouTube channel, DeChambeau showed fans just how brutal the course can get. At the par-3 6th hole, he sent his ball flying deep into unseeable rough, prompting his cameraman to lose visual contact altogether. Despite the nightmare lie, Bryson rescued a par—proof that while the course may be unforgiving, it’s not unbeatable.
Tiger Woods Chimes In With a Stern Warning
Golf legend Tiger Woods joined the conversation via Sun Day Red’s Instagram, offering blunt advice: “There’s no faking it here.” Emphasizing precision and preparation, Woods explained how Oakmont doesn’t reward flashy or careless play. Instead, success hinges on fundamentals—hitting fairways, smart misses, and shorter irons into the green. “You just have to hit the golf ball well,” he said plainly.
A Legacy of Pain and Precision
Oakmont’s challenge isn’t new. The course has long been a rite of passage for golf’s elite, famous for lightning-fast greens, furrowed bunkers, and 168 strategically placed traps—including the infamous “Church Pew” bunker. A recent restoration brought back its original fury, with expansive greens and restructured sand hazards adding to the misery.
Brutal or Brilliant? Players Are Divided
Some call Oakmont the ultimate test of golf; others, a sadistic nightmare. But love it or hate it, the consensus is clear—it’s no place for the faint-hearted. As Woods noted, it’s all about surviving “the oddball” bounces and avoiding mental breakdowns. With complaints rising and pros already sweating, fans are left to wonder: is this what championship golf is supposed to look like?
Survival of the Fittest Begins Now
With DeChambeau looking to defend his title and Tiger Woods offering reality checks, all eyes are on who can master Oakmont’s cruelty. One thing’s for sure—at this U.S. Open, par isn’t just a score. It’s a victory.