OAKMONT'S GAUNTLET: U.S. OPEN PREVIEW - June 12th, 2025

On June 12th, 2025, "Today in Golf" delved into the U.S. Open at Oakmont, spotlighting player strategies, the course's infamous difficulty, and the major storylines heading into the championship.

SCHEFFLER: THE FAVORITE FACES THE BEAST

• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler arrives as the shortest U.S. Open betting favorite since 2009, bracing for what he calls "probably the hardest golf course that we'll play, maybe ever."
• Jeff Sherman (Westgate): "He's not just winning, he's winning by a margin... The expectation is he's going to be there on Sunday." (+275 odds)
• Fun Fact: Scheffler deleted Venmo because "I was either getting paid by people or people requesting me a bunch of money when I didn't win."

BRYSON'S TECH & OAKMONT'S FEAR

• "Defending U.S. Open champion" Bryson DeChambeau debuts "version three" 3D printed prototype blades, acknowledging "Oakmont wasn't designed to be fair, it was designed to be feared."
• His new LA Golf irons feature "bulge" but "no roll" to optimize "gear effect on the heel," though he admits "there's no such thing as a magic bullet."
• Human Angle: If the new clubs don't deliver at Oakmont, Bryson is ready to "go back to the drawing board."

DJ: OAKMONT MEMORIES & FUTURE PLANS

• Dustin Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champion at Oakmont, returns confident he's "still got it" and plans for "another six years" of competitive golf "and then I'm going fishing."
• Recalling his 2016 win: "That Sunday was a little weird," attributing victory to exceptional driving.
• Motivation: "Because I want to get back. Because I know I've still got it."

RORY'S ROLLERCOASTER & OAKMONT'S DEMANDS

• Rory McIlroy seeks to find form at the "big brute" of Oakmont, reportedly battling driver changes and a recent practice round of 81, stating he "can't relax this week."
• Despite recent struggles, McIlroy boasts six straight top-nine U.S. Open finishes, including runner-up the last two years.
• Human Angle: After chasing goals for over a decade, he feels "allowed a little bit of time to relax," but not at Oakmont.

OAKMONT: THE UNRELENTING TEST

• Hosting its tenth U.S. Open, Oakmont is described by the USGA's John Bodenhamer as "relentless," with "no letup." Players face its infamous five-inch rough and lightning-fast greens.
• Bodenhamer notes players will experience "more of the golf course" this year due to increased hitting distances.
• Historical Stat: Only 27 players out of over 1300 in major championships at Oakmont have finished under par.

CHASE JOHNSON: A FATHER'S DAY DREAM AT THE OPEN

• The inspiring journey of Chase Johnson, the only Black player in the 156-man field, who qualified for his first U.S. Open, creating an emotional Father's Day weekend moment.
• His father Mel's reaction to qualifying: "This is amazing. It's Father's Day weekend. I couldn't ask for anything more."
• Chase's Hope: "I think we could think of one thing by Sunday that we could get for you."

Quick Hits

Scheffler aims to break World No. 1 U.S. Open win drought • Oakmont to play longer, showing "more of the golf course" • Today's podcast presented by golf.ai

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