Tough Conditions Await as U.S. Open Kicks Off at Oakmont
The 125th U.S. Open kicked off today at Oakmont Country Club, beginning under partly cloudy skies. Players are contending with punishing rough, lightning-quick greens, and intense summer heat expected to peak at 87°F (31°C).
- Bryson DeChambeau, the two-time champion and defending U.S. Open winner, teed off early at 7:29 a.m. ET alongside Xander Schauffele and Jose Luis Ballester.
- This afternoon, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler—with Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland—will begin at 1:25 p.m. ET, lining up a high-profile group.
Oakmont is widely recognized as one of the toughest venues in U.S. Open history—its narrow fairways hewn with ankle-deep rough and slick greens demand precision and mental stamina. Notably, the course is bisected by the Pennsylvania Turnpike, adding a dramatic visual reminder of its unique layout.
- Scheffler arrives in red-hot form—he’s won three of his past four tournaments and is the heavy betting favorite (+275 at DraftKings).
- DeChambeau, fresh off top finishes at the Masters and PGA Championship, aims to become the first back-to-back U.S. Open champion since 2018.
- Rory McIlroy is working to regain his off-the-tee consistency after his Masters triumph, teeing off at 7:40 a.m. ET with Shane Lowry and Justin Rose.
Major champions Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and Jon Rahm are paired together for this afternoon wave—a group poised to contend if they navigate the course’s unique challenges. Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, emphasized mental toughness as a key to unlocking Oakmont’s difficulty.
Amateur Matt Vogt, a former Oakmont caddie turned dentist, earned the honor of hitting the tournament’s ceremonial opening tee shot. His debut highlights the spirit and history embedded in this iconic venue.
