#271 LIV Golf at the 2025 U.S. Open: Top 10 Takeaways from Oakmont

At the storied Oakmont Country Club, the 2025 U.S. Open delivered drama, heartbreak, and breakthrough performances. Among the most compelling storylines: the exceptional showing of LIV Golf players. With just 14 players in the 156-man field, they claimed three top-10s, four top-15s, and five top-25s—an impressive strike rate on one of golf’s toughest stages.

1. Hatton’s Heartbreak, Historic HighTyrrell Hatton came closest to ending LIV’s major drought, tied for the lead on the 17th tee Sunday. A cruel bounce left him with a bogey that cost him the title, yet his T4 finish was a personal best at a major. Ranking 4th in strokes gained approach (+1.71) and 6th in GIR (74%), he earned exemptions to the 2026 U.S. Open and Masters.

2. Ortiz Breaks ThroughCarlos Ortiz matched Hatton at T4, posting the best-ever finish by a Mexican-born player in a major. His stats were elite: 1st in GIR (79%), 2nd in strokes gained approach (+1.93), and 3rd in tee-to-green (+3.13). He called the week a “ball-striking clinic,” despite a few late mistakes. Like Hatton, he punched tickets to Augusta and Shinnecock Hills.

3. Rahm’s RollercoasterJon Rahm stormed into the top 10 with a Sunday 67, tied for the lowest final round. Tee-to-green, he was among the best—2nd in GIR (75%), 8th in approach, 11th off the tee. But his putter betrayed him: 69th overall, and 142nd on Friday alone. Despite the inconsistency, Rahm showed flashes of his major-winning form.

4. Koepka’s ComebackBrooks Koepka quietly returned to major relevance with a T12—his first top-20 in a major since 2022. He opened with a 68 and ranked 10th in strokes gained tee-to-green (+2.34 per round), 9th off the tee, and 8th around the green. The five-time major winner looked sharp again on a U.S. Open setup.

5. Reed’s Rare FeatPatrick Reed made history with only the fourth albatross in U.S. Open history, holing a 3-wood from 286 yards on the par-5 4th. He finished T23, ranked 5th in fairways hit (68%), and joined an exclusive club: the only player with both an albatross at Oakmont and an ace at Winged Foot.

6. DeChambeau HumbledComing off seven straight top-10s, including a win in Korea, Bryson DeChambeau’s missed cut was shocking. Oakmont’s dense rough and glassy greens exposed cracks. Despite being the defending champion, DeChambeau couldn’t find his rhythm—a rare dip in form for LIV’s most polarizing star.

7. Mickelson’s Final Open?Phil Mickelson hinted this could be his last U.S. Open after another missed cut. The six-time runner-up had chased this title for decades. If this was indeed his final appearance, Oakmont closed the curtain on one of golf’s most dramatic quests.

8. Niemann FaltersJoaquin Niemann’s major momentum stalled with a 10-over total through 36 holes. After a T8 at the PGA Championship, expectations were high. He acknowledged that consistent major contention is the next step in becoming one of the game's elite.

9. Leishman’s Quiet SurgeMarc Leishman posted a third-round 68 and quietly impressed with the flatstick—ranking 9th in strokes gained putting (+1.20). Though outside the top 20, his Saturday round stood among the best.

10. Collective LIV StrengthLIV players produced three of the four lowest scores in Round 3 and tied for the lowest on Sunday (Rahm’s 67). Their cumulative performance—despite a small contingent—underscored the growing depth and legitimacy of LIV talent at golf’s biggest stage.

ConclusionOakmont tested the world's best, and LIV Golf’s top stars responded with skill, flair, and resilience. While a major trophy eluded them, the message was clear: LIV players are not just competitive—they’re contenders.

• www.Golf247.eu