Like any savvy patient who gets a bad diagnosis, Sam Burns wanted a second opinion. When his drive on Oakmont’s par-4 15th hole stayed on the fairway next to the first cut, he seemed to catch a good break. But when Burns arrived at the ball, it looked and felt to him that it was sitting in standing water from the day’s earlier heavy rainstorm.

Tied for the lead at one over at the time, Burns asked for an official to take a look. The verdict: There was not enough “temporary water”—the updated phrase used in the Rules of Golf—to allow Burns to take a drop. As noted in the rules, “It is not enough for the ground to be merely wet, muddy or soft or for the water to be momentarily visible as the player steps on the ground; an accumulation of water must remain present either before or after the stance is taken.”

Burns, 28 and a five-time tour winner, wasn’t happy with the decision and, as if to make his point, kept taking practice swings that clearly splashed water up. Not convinced about the call, he requested a second ruling. Another official arrived, and after Burns made his case, the answer was the same: Play it as it lies.

Asked about the situation after his round, Burns said, “That fairway slopes left to right. That’s kind of the low part of the fairway there. When I walked into it, clearly you could see water coming up. Took practice swings and it’s just water splashing every single time. Called a rules official over, they disagreed. I looked at it again. I thought maybe I should get a second opinion. That rules official also disagreed. At the end of the day, it’s not up to me, it’s up to the rules official. That’s kind of that.”

https://twitter.com/NUCLRGOLF/status/1934394347442647300

A fair call? It certainly seemed questionable, given how much “temporary water” there was throughout the course—in addition to possibly deciding a player’s championship fate on a ruling that might have gone either way. And it becomes even more suspect when we see the video posted on X by reporter Kyle Porter.

https://twitter.com/KylePorterNS/status/1934393989123146031

Clearly, Burns was rattled as he lined up his 200-yard approach, and, with a big splash, pulled his shot into the rough. Burns took a few more swipes at the soaked grass, turned to his caddie and said, “That’s ridiculous.”

Burns would end up with a double bogey at 15, then dropped another shot at 16, birdied 17 and bogeyed 18 to shoot 78. He finished at four over and T-7, five shots behind champion J.J. Spaun.

The loss will no doubt be painful, and there probably is little consolation that respected observers thought he was wronged.

“Sam Burns was affected the worst by the delay,” NBC commentator Brad Faxon said. “And got maybe one of the worst breaks not being able to move that ball on 15. He should have been able to take relief from there. That’s a bad call.”

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On Thursday at Oakmont, Lowry claimed his latest victim – a microphone left of the par-4 17th green.

The Irishman began his day with pars at 10 and 11 but then bogeyed the par-5 12th, one of just two par 5s on the property. Four holes later, a missed five-footer for bogey at the par-3 16th led to a disastrous Day 1 double bogey, dropping him to three over. The short par-4 17th provided a perfect opportunity to get one back, especially after Lowry drove it greenside, setting up a 46-yard chip.

Unfortunately, that chip had to come from Oakmont’s impossibly thick rough. Lowry took a huge backswing only to advance the ball 17 feet:

Golf is fun… Right? pic.twitter.com/RMzP2IyKJr

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 12, 2025

Then came the microphone throw:

Shane Lowry is not enjoying Oakmont https://t.co/BZ27ErRFrk pic.twitter.com/aCAR9Dt6iO

— Fried Egg Golf (@fried_egg_golf) June 12, 2025

In fairness, that thing was clearly in the way of his next shot, though a simple lifting and placing would have gotten the job done here. Those things are expensive.

Things could have gotten really ugly after Lowry’s third shot, which rolled through the green and, luckily, came to rest in the intermediate rough. The former Open winner proceeded to chip in for an eventful par:

An impressive par save nonetheless for Shane Lowry! pic.twitter.com/5Np6WDezYE

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 12, 2025

Lowry went on to bogey No. 18 for an opening nine-hole score of four-over 39. Certainly not how he envisioned his week getting started, but it’s still very, very early.

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.@TyrrellHatton vs. the rough at Oakmont. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/MaqJj6zK48

— PING GOLF (@PingTour) June 10, 2025

If players think they’re going to find respite on the putting surfaces, however, think again. According to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the greens are expected to run between 14’ 5” and 14’ 9” on the Stimpmeter, which is not necessarily uncommon for a U.S. Open. But when paired with Oakmont’s small, dramatically undulating greens, the results look downright deadly. Just check out a few of the yips-inducing videos that dropped on Tuesday if you don’t believe us.

The greens at Oakmont are FAST #USOpen | @JonRahmOfficial pic.twitter.com/VKca15lBBc

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 10, 2025

Nightmare fuel. #TeamTaylorMade pic.twitter.com/GPasPevwjG

— TaylorMade Golf (@TaylorMadeGolf) June 10, 2025

Yiiiiikes. With Thursday and Friday and looking dry and warm in the Pittsburgh area, the greens could approach speeds of 15 or more by the end of the second round. Combine that with the difficulty of controlling spin out of rough as thick as Oakmont’s, and the field may struggle to hold the greens with their wedges, let alone make putts. Work backward from there, and it’s clear that keeping drives in the fairway will be of the utmost importance this week. If you’re a fan of U.S. Open carnage, this is music to your ears. If you like sub-five hour rounds, good luck.

RELATED: Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott reportedly battered by Oakmont during brutal Monday practice round

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What was that line about Alexander the Great?

“And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.”

Rory McIlroy indeed wept in April after he won the Masters, after he harpooned his own white whale, vanquished his demons, silenced his critics and crossed that threshold into a realm of golf history of distinct exclusivity—one of six owners of the career grand slam. He probably won’t be the last to do it, but his journey has been the most exhausting.

MORE: Tee time pairings for the first and second round of 2025 U.S. Open

So what now?

Well, McIlroy doesn’t know. “I have no idea. I’m sort of just taking it tournament by tournament at this point,” he said Tuesday at Oakmont Country Club, where the 125th U.S. Open begins Thursday.

“Look, you dream about the final putt going in at the Masters, but you don’t think about what comes next,” the 36-year-old native of Northern Ireland said. “I think I’ve always been a player that struggles to play after a big event, after I win whatever tournament. I always struggle to show up with motivation the next week because you’ve just accomplished something, and you want to enjoy it, and you want to sort of relish the fact that you’ve achieved a goal.”

Rory McIlroy – 2025 Masters Trophy and Green Jacket at Augusta National – JD Cuban

Winning the Masters wasn’t just a goal. It was a quest. It was his crusade. And last October he applied himself to his craft as assiduously as he ever had, especially after three gut-churning major setbacks at the 2022 British Open at St. Andrews and in this championship the last two years when he finished runner-up.

Since defeating Justin Rose on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff—and who among us didn’t harbour a thought that a setback at Augusta National Golf Club might have been fatal to his career and legacy?—McIlroy hasn’t been quite the same player. His T-47 finish at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, a home-course advantage if such exists, is proving more instructive of McIlroy’s mindset given his introspection on Tuesday.

He is searching for the next goal. He seemed to find it, sort of, after his press conference, when he admitted a feeling of unfinished business after losing to Wyndham Clark at Los Angeles Country Club two years ago and to Bryson DeChambeau last June at Pinehurst.

Then again.

“I would have said ‘yes’ much quicker if I hadn’t won the Masters,” he replied to the question of unfinished business in the championship he won in 2011 at Congressional that assuaged his first Masters disappointment. “I obviously want to play well here. I didn’t like what happened last year. I didn’t like what happened at LACC. I feel like I’m playing U.S. Open golf venues much better at this point in my career than I ever have, so I don’t want to go in there feeling like I want revenge.”

True, but revenge can be a motivator all its own. McIlroy, the World No. 2, might find fuel in shelving his rightful feeling of satisfaction and conjuring up some chip-on-the-shoulder indignation.

Just a suggestion.

He seemed to be open to at least trying to forget about the boulder … er, the Masters.

“I think it’s trying to have a little bit of amnesia and forget about what happened six weeks ago,” he posited. “Then just trying to find the motivation to go back out there and work as hard as I’ve been working. I worked incredibly hard on my game from October last year all the way up until April this year. It was nice to sort of see the fruits of my labor come to fruition and have everything happen.

“But at the same time, you have to enjoy that. You have to enjoy what you’ve just accomplished. I certainly feel like I’m still doing that, and I will continue to do that. At some point, you have to realise that there’s a little bit more golf left to play this season, here, Portrush, Ryder Cup, so those are obviously the three big things that I’m sort of looking at for the rest of the year.”

Bigger than the Masters? Well, no. Almost as big? No, probably not even close. It was suggested to him that he maybe go big picture. Only three men have cracked double figures in major titles: Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Walter Hagen. Why not shoot for 10? He still has a long runway to get there, given his age, health and talent.

McIlroy could only let out a small laugh.

“I’m just trying to get myself in shape for this one,” he said.

The toughest road to travel is one you can’t see.

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Each of them set to compete at Oakmont Country Club—from defending champion Bryson DeChambeau to 17-year-old high schooler Mason Howell—followed their own unique road to get to the historic venue hosting the USGA’s marquee championship for a record 10th time. Eighty-seven players were fully exempt into the field, while 32 earned their place via 36 holes of Final Qualifying. Another 16 first advanced through 18 holes of Local Qualifying before successfully navigating Golf’s Longest Day.

The last time a final qualifier won the U.S. Open? Lucas Glover in 2009. Last time a winner made it through local and final? Orville Moody in 1969. (In other words, maybe we’re due?!?)

Fifteen amateurs found their way into the field, and 15 LIV golfers will be teeing it up. Meanwhile, golfers from 26 different countries are competing.

They’ll be facing arguably the toughest course on the USGA’s de facto U.S. Open rota.

https://twitter.com/ToddLewisGC/status/1930685322037186791

They’re all looking to join this list of past U.S. Open winners at Oakmont:

1927: Tommy Armour (+13/301)*

1935: Sam Parks Jr. (+11/299)

1953: Ben Hogan (-5/283)

1962: Jack Nicklaus (-1/283)*

1973: Johnny Miller (-5/279)

1983: Larry Nelson (-4/280)

1994: Ernie Els (-5/279)*

2007: Angel Cabrera (+5/285)

2016: Dustin Johnson (-4/276)

*Won in playoff

So what’s in store for this year at Oakmont? The USGA released first and second rounds tee times on Tuesday, which we have listed below. In addition to the traditional (U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, Open champion Xander Schauffele and U.S. Amateur champion Josele Ballester are together) the USGA has some of its typically playful threesomes in store for Thursday and Friday. (We like the Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson former U.S. Open champs one in particular.)

Tee Times (all times EDT)

FIRST ROUND/THURSDAY

1st Hole

6:45 a.m. – Matt Vogt (a), Kevin Velo, Trent Phillips

6:56 a.m. – Chandler Blanchet, Alvaro Ortiz, Doug Ghim

7:07 a.m. – Evan Beck (a), Maxwell Moldovan, Justin Hicks

7:18 a.m. – Harris English, Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley

7:29 a.m. – Xander Schauffele, Jose Luis Ballester, Bryson DeChambeau

7:40 a.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark, Gary Woodland

7:51 a.m. – Akshay Bhatia, Matt McCarty, Robert MacIntyre

8:02 a.m. – Cam Davis, Davis Thompson, Thomas Detry

8:13 a.m. – Richard Bland, Trevor Gutschewski (a), Lanto Griffin

8:24 a.m. – Edoardo Molinari, Sam Stevens, Ryan Gerard

8:35 a.m. – Thriston Lawrence, Noah Kent (a), Thorbjørn Olesen

8:46 a.m. – Jinichiro Kozuma, Cameron Tankersley (a), Chase Johnson

8:57 a.m. – Philip Barbaree Jr., Riley Lewis, Brady Calkins

12:30 p.m. – Frederic Lacroix, Emiliano Grillo, Sam Bairstow

12:41 p.m. – Byeong Hun An, Joe Highsmith, Ryan Fox

12:52 p.m. – Victor Perez, Jacob Bridgeman, Adam Schenk

1:03 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka

1:14 p.m. – Sam Burns, Nico Echavarria, Denny McCarthy

1:25 p.m. – Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler

1:36 p.m. – Corey Conners, Jason Day, Patrick Reed

1:47 p.m. – Joaquin Niemann, Bud Cauley, Daniel Berger

1:58 p.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Tony Finau, Chris Kirk

2:09 p.m. – Benjamin James (a), Rasmus Højgaard, Stephan Jaeger

2:20 p.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Justin Hastings (a), Laurie Canter

2:31 p.m. – Frankie Harris (a), Emilio Gonzalez, Roberto Díaz

2:42 p.m. – Grant Haefner, Joey Herrera, George Kneiser

10th hole

6:45 a.m. – Zac Blair, Scott Vincent, Alistair Docherty

6:56 a.m. – Jacques Kruyswijk, Jordan Smith, Eric Cole

7:07 a.m. – Tom Kim, JJ Spaun, Taylor Pendrith

7:18 a.m. – Ludvig Åberg, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama

7:29 a.m. – Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak, Maverick McNealy

7:40 a.m. – Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy

7:51 a.m. – Patrick Cantlay, Si Woo Kim, Lucas Glover

8:02 a.m. – Cameron Smith, Brian Harman, Phil Mickelson

8:13 a.m. – Niklas Norgaard, Brian Campbell, Justin Lower

8:24 a.m. – Davis Riley, Jackson Koivun (a), Johnny Keefer

8:35 a.m. – James Hahn, Mark Hubbard, Michael La Sasso (a)

8:46 a.m. – Joakim Lagergren, Mason Howell (a), Chris Gotterup

8:57 a.m. – Zach Bauchou, Jackson Buchanan, Lance Simpson (a)

12:30 p.m. – Will Chandler, Andrea Pavan, Takumi Kanaya

12:41 p.m. – Bryan Lee (a), Guido Migliozzi, Preston Summerhays

12:52 p.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Max Greyserman, Matt Wallace

1:03 p.m. – Russell Henley, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Nick Taylor

1:14 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson.

1:25 p.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Im, Sepp Straka

1:36 p.m. – Cameron Young,.; Tom Hoge, J.T. Poston

1:47 p.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Michael Kim, Matthieu Pavon

1:58 p.m. – Marc Leishman, Aaron Rai, Nick Dunlap

2:09 p.m. – Matthew Jordan, Yuta Sugiura, Carlos Ortiz

2:20 p.m. – Ryan McCormick, Trevor Cone, Zach Pollo (a)

2:31 p.m. – James Nicholas, Tyler Weaver (a), Riki Kawamoto

2:42 p.m. – Austen Truslow, Harrison Ott, George Duangmanee

SECOND ROUND/FRIDAY

1st Hole

6:45 a.m. – Will Chandler, Andrea Pavan, Takumi Kanaya

6:56 a.m. – Bryan Lee (a), Guido Migliozzi, Preston Summerhays

7:07 a.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Max Greyserman, Matt Wallace

7:18 a.m. – Russell Henley, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Nick Taylor

7:29 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson.

7:40 a.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Im, Sepp Straka

7:51 a.m. – Cameron Young,.; Tom Hoge, J.T. Poston

8:02 a.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Michael Kim, Matthieu Pavon

8:13 a.m. – Marc Leishman, Aaron Rai, Nick Dunlap

8:24 a.m. – Matthew Jordan, Yuta Sugiura, Carlos Ortiz

8:35 a.m. – Ryan McCormick, Trevor Cone, Zach Pollo (a)

8:46 a.m. – James Nicholas, Tyler Weaver (a), Riki Kawamoto

8:57 a.m. – Austen Truslow, Harrison Ott, George Duangmanee

12:30 p.m. – Zac Blair, Scott Vincent, Alistair Docherty

12:41 p.m. – Jacques Kruyswijk, Jordan Smith, Eric Cole

12:52 p.m. – Tom Kim, JJ Spaun, Taylor Pendrith

1:03 p.m. – Ludvig Åberg, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama

1:14 p.m. – Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak, Maverick McNealy

1:25 p.m. – Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy

1:36 p.m. – Patrick Cantlay, Si Woo Kim, Lucas Glover

1:47 p.m. – Cameron Smith, Brian Harman, Phil Mickelson

1:58 p.m. – Niklas Norgaard, Brian Campbell, Justin Lower

2:09 p.m. – Davis Riley, Jackson Koivun (a), Johnny Keefer

2:20 p.m. – James Hahn, Mark Hubbard, Michael La Sasso (a)

2:31 p.m. – Joakim Lagergren, Mason Howell (a), Chris Gotterup

2:42 p.m. – Zach Bauchou, Jackson Buchanan, Lance Simpson (a)

10th hole

6:45 a.m. – Frederic Lacroix, Emiliano Grillo, Sam Bairstow

6:56 a.m. – Byeong Hun An, Joe Highsmith, Ryan Fox

7:07 a.m. – Victor Perez, Jacob Bridgeman, Adam Schenk

7:18 a.m. – Min Woo Lee, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka

7:29 a.m. – Sam Burns, Nico Echavarria, Denny McCarthy

7:40 a.m. – Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler

7:51 a.m. – Corey Conners, Jason Day, Patrick Reed

8:02 a.m. – Joaquin Niemann, Bud Cauley, Daniel Berger

8:13 a.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Tony Finau, Chris Kirk

8:24 a.m. – Benjamin James (a), Rasmus Højgaard, Stephan Jaeger

8:35 a.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Justin Hastings (a), Laurie Canter

8:46 a.m. – Frankie Harris (a), Emilio Gonzalez, Roberto Díaz

8:57 a.m. – Grant Haefner, Joey Herrera, George Kneiser

12:30 p.m. – Matt Vogt (a), Kevin Velo, Trent Phillips

12:41 p.m. – Chandler Blanchet, Alvaro Ortiz, Doug Ghim

12:52 p.m. – Evan Beck (a), Maxwell Moldovan, Justin Hicks

1:03 p.m. – Harris English, Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley

1:14 p.m. – Xander Schauffele, Jose Luis Ballester, Bryson DeChambeau

1:25 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark, Gary Woodland

1:36 p.m. – Akshay Bhatia, Matt McCarty, Robert MacIntyre

1:47 p.m. – Cam Davis, Davis Thompson, Thomas Detry

1:58 p.m. – Richard Bland, Trevor Gutschewski (a), Lanto Griffin

2:09 p.m. – Edoardo Molinari, Sam Stevens, Ryan Gerard

2:20 p.m. – Thriston Lawrence, Noah Kent (a), Thorbjørn Olesen

2:31 p.m. – Jinichiro Kozuma, Cameron Tankersley (a), Chase Johnson

2:42 p.m. – Philip Barbaree Jr., Riley Lewis, Brady Calkins

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Now, one year later, McIlroy has the career Grand Slam wrapped up and DeChambeau is a mainstay atop major leaderboards. But there’s also Scottie Scheffler, who’s in the midst of a generational run. And Jon Rahm, who seemed to have figured some things out at Quail Hollow. Plus, there are the up-and-comers and journeymen all looking for their first majors, such as Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler. What we’re trying to say is that things are shaping up pretty nicely for a wild four days at Oakmont Country Club and the upcoming 125th U.S. Open.

Moving forward to the prestigious Pennsylvania course—hosting for a record 10th time—the possible storylines that await are intriguing. Will a golfer who survived Local and Final Qualifying make a run at the title or will one of the game’s best add to his already storied legacy? It’s the U.S. Open … anything can happen.

With that as a primer, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions to get you ready for what’s sure to be a thrilling major at Oakmont.

When is the U.S. Open played?

Traditionally, the U.S. Open is scheduled every year for the third weekend of June, with the final round scheduled for Father’s Day Sunday. This year that means from June 12-15. The one recent exception came in 2020, when the USGA moved the championship to mid-September in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, then moved it back to its usual slot in 2021.

Who conducts the U.S. Open?

The United States Golf Association (USGA) conducts the championship.

When and where was the first U.S. Open? And who won?

The first U.S. Open was played in 1895 at Newport (R.I.) Golf Club. At the time, it was a nine-hole course, so the championship was a 36-hole, one-day competition. The winner was an Englishman named Horace Rawlins, a 21-year-old who beat a field of nine other professionals and one amateur. He won with a score of 173 and was awarded $150, a gold medal and custody of the U.S. Open Trophy for one year.

What is the format of the U.S. Open? How many players are in the field?

The U.S. Open is a four-round, 72-hole stroke-play championship, with a cut after 36 holes. The field includes 156 players with the top 60 and ties playing playing on the weekend.

If players are tied after 72 holes, how is the winner determined?

Until 2018, if players were tied after 72 holes, the winner was determined in an 18-hole stroke-play playoff on Monday after the final round. The USGA has since changed the format to a two-hole aggregate playoff. If still tied after two holes, players will compete in sudden death until a winner is crowned.

When was the last time an 18-hole playoff occurred?

Tiger Woods reacts as he sinks a birdie putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open. Woods would beat Mediate in 19 holes the next day to win his third U.S. Open title – Gina Ferazzi

The last time the U.S. Open went to an 18-hole playoff was in 2008 at Torrey Pines between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. They were still tied after 18 holes, so it then went to a sudden-death playoff, with Woods winning on the 19th hole.

THE BUNKER SHOT OF HIS CAREER!

@b_dechambeau has this putt left to win the U.S. Open! pic.twitter.com/Vleb6k6PvO

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2024

We were just one shot away from seeing extra holes at Pinehurst No. 2 last year. Bryson DeChambeau needed a par on the 72nd hole to cement the victory, which he accomplished behind a ridiculous bunker shot. Were he to bogey, DeChambeau and McIlroy would’ve gone to extra holes.

Where is the 2025 U.S. Open being played?

This year’s U.S. Open is being played at the historic Oakmont Country Club, a National Historic Landmark established in 1903. It’s one of the oldest top-ranked courses in the United States and has hosted the U.S. Open nine times already. Oakmont’s most recent U.S. Open was back in 2016, in which Dustin Johnson won by three strokes.

The Pennsylvania track has also played host to three PGA Championships, six U.S. Amateurs, three NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships and two U.S. Women’s Opens.

What type of course is Oakmont?

Ranked No. 5 in our brand-new America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses ranking, Oakmont is one of the most prestigious courses in the United States. It’s known for its extremely fast and undulating greens, as well as its nasty rough and challenging bunkers. The course was designed by Henry Fownes in 1904 and then renovated by Tom Fazio and Gil Hanse/Jim Wagner in 2015 and 2023, respectively.

Can you play Oakmont?

Only if you know the right people or have the winning lottery ticket. Oakmont Country Club is a private club that’s invitation-only, with membership initiation fees around $200,000.

Is Tiger Woods playing in the 2025 U.S. Open?

Unfortunately not. Woods, who was forced to accept a special exemption back in 2024, will be sidelined this year due to his ruptured Achilles tendon injury. He ultimately missed the cut last year at Pinehurst No. 2.

How many U.S. Opens has Tiger Woods won?

Tiger Woods sits talking with caddie Steve Williams on the fairway during the 100th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach – David Cannon

Woods has won three U.S. Opens, the last coming in 2008 at Torrey Pines. He previously won the U.S. Open in 2002 at Bethpage Black and in 2000 at Pebble Beach, when he set the record for the largest margin of victory in major championship history, winning by 15 strokes.

Who has won the most U.S. Opens?

Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus hold the record for most U.S. Open victories, each winning four.

Is Phil Mickelson playing in the U.S. Open?

Yes, he is—for the 34th time in his career. Lefty is exempt after his 2021 PGA Championship victory. The U.S. Open is the one major Mickelson has never won, having finished second (or tied for second) a record six times in his quest to complete the career Grand Slam.

How can you qualify for the U.S. Open?

The U.S. Open is open to any professional or amateur with an up-to-date men’s USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 0.4.

The USGA allows those eligible players—a record 10,202 submitted entries this year—to attempt to qualify for the national championship. Qualifying consists of two stages, local and final (previously known as sectional). Local qualifying is played over 18 holes at more than 100 courses around the United States. Those who advance out of Local Qualifying (roughly 530) then compete in Final Qualifying, which is staged at 13 sites. Players compete in one-day, 36-hole events with roughly 65 golfers overall playing their way into the championship proper.

Has a U.S. Open ever been won by someone who earned a spot through Final Qualifying?

Lucas Glover celebrates his 2009 major victory on the 18th green at Bethpage State Park – TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Yes. The last time was Lucas Glover at Bethpage in 2009.

Has the U.S. Open ever been won by someone who earned a spot through Local and Final qualifying?

Yes. The last time was Orville Moody at Champions Golf Club in 1969. Prior to that it was done by Ken Venturi in 1964.

Is there an age limit to qualify?

There is no age limit to qualify for the U.S. Open. The youngest player ever to make the field was 14-year-old Andy Zhang in 2012.

What site has hosted the most U.S. Opens?

Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh has hosted the most U.S. Opens with nine, the most recent in 2016. Oakmont is set to host for the 10th time.

What state has hosted the most U.S. Opens?

New York has hosted the most U.S. Opens with 20. In addition to Winged Foot’s six, Shinnecock Hills has hosted the U.S. Open five times, Oak Hill three times, Bethpage Black two times with Fresh Meadow, Inwood, Country Club of Buffalo and Garden City each hosting once.

What is the U.S. Open scoring record?

Rory McIlroy holds up the trophy after winning the 111th US Open by eight strokes over Jason Day – JIM WATSON

The U.S. Open scoring record is held by Rory McIlroy, who shot a total of 16-under 268 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda in 2011.

What is the highest winning score of the U.S. Open?

The highest winning score is held by Fred Herd, who won the 1898 U.S. Open with a total score of 328.

What is the lowest round in U.S. Open history? Highest?

Prior to 2023, six players held the record for the lowest round in U.S. Open history with a score of 63. They were Johnny Miller (shot in the final round at Oakmont in 1973), Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Vijay Singh, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood. Thomas’ 63 was the lowest score in relation to par (nine under) when he shot the score in the third round of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills, where he finished T-9. Fleetwood shot his 63 in the final round at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, only the second 63 posted in the final round, along with Miller’s.

All these 63s, however, moved down a spot in the USGA record book when Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele both shot 62s in the first round of the U.S. Open two years ago at Los Angeles Country Club. Amazingly, their rounds finished within half an hour of each other.

The highest round belongs to J.D. Tucker, who shot a 157 at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton in 1898.

Who is the oldest winner of the U.S. Open? Youngest?

The oldest player to win the U.S. Open is Hale Irwin, who won the 1990 U.S. Open at Medinah Country Club in Medinah when he was 45 years and 15 days old.

The youngest champion is John McDermott, who won the 1911 U.S. Open at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill., when he was 19 years and 315 days old.

Has an amateur ever won the U.S. Open?

Bobby Jones holds the U.S. Open trophy after his 36-hole playoff victory over Al Espinosa in 1929 at Winged Foot – Bettmann

Five amateurs have won eight U.S. Opens in history: Francis Ouimet (1913), Jerome D. Travers (1915), Charles Evans Jr. (1916), Bobby Jones (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930) and Johnny Goodman (1933).

How many times has an American won the U.S. Open?

Of the 124 U.S. Opens that have been contested, an American has won 88 of them. The latest was Bryson DeChambeau just last year.

When was the last time an international player won the U.S. Open?

Matthew Fitzpatrick plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the final round at Brookline – David Cannon

Three years ago. Matt Fitzpatrick hails from England and has made Brookline his home away from home, winning both a U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur at the same course. Spain’s Jon Rahm won the year before that at Torrey Pines’ South Course. Before that, it was Germany’s Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014, while England’s Justin Rose won in 2013.

Which countries have produced the next most U.S. Open wins?

Second to the United States in U.S. Open victories is Scotland with 13. Englishmen have won eight times, while South African-born players have won five.

What type of conditions are the U.S. Open played in?

The U.S. Open is typically played under very difficult scoring conditions, where accuracy off the tee is essential. Fairways are often narrow and guarded by thick rough, and the course is generally set up quite long. Even par is usually a good score for the week, although the USGA contends that it’s not looking at even par as a barometer.

What are the confirmed future sites of the U.S. Open?

2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
2027: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
2028: Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N.Y
2029: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2030: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2031: Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Calif.
2032: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
2033: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
2034: Oakland Hills Country Club (South), Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
2035: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2036: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
2037: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif
2038: The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.
2039: The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club (North Course)
2040: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2041: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2042: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
2044: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
2047: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2049: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
2050: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2051: Oakland Hills Country Club (South), Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

How much is the purse of the U.S. Open, and how much does the winner receive?

The purse for the 2025 U.S. Open has yet to be announced. The purse in 2024 was a record $21.5 million, with the winner receiving $4.3 million.

How many World Ranking points does the U.S. Open winner get?

The winner of the U.S. Open receives 100 world ranking points.

How many FedEx Cup points does the U.S. Open winner get?

The winner of the U.S. Open receives 750 FedEx Cup points.

Who broadcasts the U.S. Open?

In June 2020, NBC Universal reacquired the U.S. broadcast and media rights for the U.S. Open, taking over the remainder of a 12-year, $1.1 billion contract the USGA had signed with FOX Sports that began in 2015 and expires in 2026. NBC had been the official broadcast partner of the USGA from 1995 through 2014. Four full days of televised coverage will begin on Thursday, June 15, on NBC and the USA Network, with additional early morning coverage on NBC’s streaming service Peacock.

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