U.S. Open Golf Championship Sparks Buzz with Last-Minute Course Changes at Oakmont

Oakmont, PA – The 125th U.S. Open Golf Championship, set to begin June 12 at the historic Oakmont Country Club, is making headlines after organizers introduced significant last-minute changes to the course layout in an effort to aid competitors. Despite these adjustments, several players have described the course as “unplayable,” fueling debate over the event’s notorious difficulty just days before the first tee shot.

The championship, marking Oakmont’s record 10th time hosting the U.S. Open, will see 156 of the world’s top golfers navigate a newly extended and restored course. The layout now measures 7,372 yards, up from 7,219 yards in previous years, and features greens that have been restored to their original size—averaging 8,100 square feet, about 20% larger than before the renovation. Architect Gil Hanse led the restoration, which also included the reintroduction of Oakmont’s historic drainage ditches, posing new lateral hazards along half of the holes.

The course’s reputation for relentless challenge remains intact. With only two par 5s averaging 622 yards and four par 3s averaging 227 yards, there is little respite for players. The opening hole, a 488-yard par 4, immediately tests competitors with a semi-blind drive and a fairway flanked by nine bunkers. The infamous Church Pew bunker, stretching 100 yards between the third and fourth fairways, continues to be a signature hazard.

Oakmont’s setup is further complicated by the absence of graduated rough, meaning even minor misses off the tee can result in severe penalties. The course’s firm, tightly mown surfaces are expected to challenge even the most precise shot-makers.

The U.S. Open field, which accepted a record 10,202 entries this year, is stacked with major champions and rising stars, all vying for the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Medal and a place in golf history. The tournament will be broadcast across USA Network, Peacock, and NBC, with coverage spanning all four days of play.

As anticipation builds, the spotlight remains on Oakmont’s formidable test and whether the latest changes will provide relief—or simply add to the legend of one of golf’s most demanding venues.