Grit vs. Greens: Can Scottie RALLY at Oakmont?
Scottie Scheffler begins his pursuit of U.S. Open glory with an early start at Oakmont, seeking to overcome a challenging first round that tested even the world’s best golfer.
At a Glance
- Scheffler posted a 3-over 73 in his opening round at Oakmont Country Club, placing him on the projected cut line
- Oakmont is widely considered one of golf’s most difficult tests, with only 2% of players finishing under par in major championships held there
- Despite recent dominance (winning three of his last four tournaments), Scheffler needs a strong second round to move into contention
- J.J. Spaun leads after a bogey-free four-under 66 in the first round
Scheffler Faces Oakmont’s Brutal Test
World number one Scottie Scheffler faced a humbling reminder of Oakmont Country Club’s legendary difficulty during Thursday’s opening round of the U.S. Open. Despite entering the tournament as the overwhelming favorite, Scheffler stumbled to a 3-over 73, placing him on the projected cut line and requiring a strong Friday performance to remain in contention. The early morning tee time for his second round offers a strategic advantage, with greens typically playing more receptively before afternoon conditions deteriorate on the Pennsylvania course hosting its record 10th U.S. Open.
After his opening round, Scheffler acknowledged his struggles while maintaining his characteristic composure. “Slow day. I made some silly mistakes out there, but at the same time, I made some key putts and some good momentum saves in my round, but overall just need to be a little sharper,” Scheffler said. “I did a good job of battling, and if I’m a little sharper tomorrow, I think I can score a bit better.”
Oakmont: Golf’s Ultimate Challenge
Oakmont Country Club stands as perhaps the most formidable test in championship golf. Ranked fifth on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” the venue designed by Henry Fownes has humbled the world’s best players for generations. The course features vast expanses, punishing rough, deceptively challenging tee shots, and notoriously fast greens. Its difficulty is so renowned that the USGA can push it to extremes while maintaining competitive legitimacy, creating what many consider the ultimate examination of a golfer’s complete skill set.
“This is probably the hardest golf course that we’ll play. Maybe ever,” Scheffler stated before the tournament began. His assessment echoes the sentiment of countless professionals who have faced Oakmont’s relentless demands over its storied history hosting major championships.
A Different Kind of Challenge
What makes Oakmont particularly interesting is Scheffler’s candid assessment of its design philosophy. Following his opening round, he offered an unexpected perspective on the course’s strategic elements. “I mean, it’s one of those places there’s not like — there’s not a ton of strategy, I would say. You just step up on the tee box and go, what club can I get into this fairway, and then try and hit that club in the fairway, and if you don’t, it’s like, how am I going to get out of this rough and get the ball back in the fairway so I can have a shot at the green.”
“I truly believe that Oakmont is the most stressful place to play a U.S. Open. The U.S. Open is supposed to be difficult for the right reasons, it’s supposed to be challenging. It’s about the mental test, the emotional test, the physical test. It’s all of those things. But at Oakmont, it’s all ratcheted up.”, said Jeff Hall.Â
J.J. Spaun currently holds the lead after an impressive bogey-free 66 in the opening round. Brooks Koepka lurks just two shots back in a three-way tie for third place, while other top contenders including Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy struggled in their opening rounds and face afternoon tee times for Friday’s second round. For Scheffler, the early start represents a critical opportunity to post a solid score before conditions potentially worsen for the afternoon groups.
Scheffler’s Recent Dominance
Despite Thursday’s challenges, Scheffler’s recent form suggests he remains capable of mounting a serious weekend charge. He has won three of his last four PGA TOUR starts by a combined 17 shots, showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen since Tiger Woods in his prime. Statistically, Scheffler ranks first on TOUR in both Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Strokes Gained: Approach the Green, the two most crucial ball-striking categories for navigating Oakmont’s demands.
“It’s effortless. Every single aspect of his game is unbelievable. I think his mental game is better than anybody out here. To be able to play with those expectations and to stay present as often as he has, to me, is maybe more impressive than even the golf he’s playing.”, said Justin Thomas.
As Scheffler navigates the second round at Oakmont, the golf world watches to see if the sport’s most dominant player can overcome both his modest start and one of golf’s most notorious challenges. With early morning conditions potentially offering scoring opportunities before Oakmont inevitably bares its teeth, Scheffler’s performance Friday could determine whether he remains in position to capture his second major championship.
