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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