Dustin Johnson won by three shots when the US Open was last hosted at Oakmont in 2016 Pittsburgh, America's historic steel city also famed for coal mining, is known as a hub for hard industrial labour. And these qualities extend to its most famed golf course. There are few, if any, tougher more uncompromising tests than Oakmont Country Club, the home of this week's US Open. This is a place where players have to roll up their sleeves and get on with it despite the golfing environment's stark harshness. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau summed it up for his legion of YouTube followers when he said: "This course doesn't just challenge your game, it challenges your sanity." This is the latest in a long line of observations about a course that will stage the US Open for a record 10th time, starting on Thursday. Seven-time major winner Gene Sarazen started the trend when he said Oakmont possesses "all the charm of a sock to the head". The US Open is meant to be the toughest test and of all the courses that stage the United States' national championship, this appears the toughest. It is the ultimate US Open venue. Rory McIlroy hacking out of the Oakmont rough during a practice round in 2016 - he would miss the cut that year Huge undulating, sloped greens are lightning fast. Another legend, Sam Snead, joked: "I put a dime down to mark my ball and the dime slipped away." It was seeing a Sarazen putt run off an Oakmont green at the 1935 championship that inspired Edward Stimpson to invent the measuring device known as a "Stimpmeter" to calibrate just how fast a green is running. Six times major champion Lee Trevino noted the difficulty of the greens when he observed: "Every time I two putted at Oakmont, I was passing somebody on the leaderboard." The rough is thick and juicy and its 175 bunkers are harsh, penal hazards. Phil Mickelson, who this week plays his 34th and most likely final US Open, thinks it is "the hardest golf course we have ever played". Geoff Ogilvy, the champion in 2006 at Winged Foot - another brutal venue, said: "Playing Oakmont was like the hardest hole you have ever played on every hole." The course was built in the early 20th century by Henry Clay Fownes after he sold his burgeoning steel business to Andrew Carnegie. The Fownes family were among the best players in Western Pennsylvania at the time. Now they had the wealth to indulge their sporting passion and they transformed 191 acres of farmland at a place called Plum on the outskirts of Pittsburgh into one of the most feared pieces of golfing architecture ever built. It was the only course HC Fownes designed and it has more than stood the test of time. He did not see golf as any kind of beauty contest. "Let the clumsy, the spineless, the alibi artists stand aside, a poor shot should be a shot irrevocably lost," he stated. When the course opened in 1904 it measured 6,406 yards and was par-80. This week it is stretched to 7,431 yards and the par score is 71. Dubbed "Soakmont" when it last staged the US Open, heavy rainfall softened fairways and greens, Dustin Johnson's winning score was still only four under, admittedly including a controversial penalty for unintentionally moving his ball on the fifth hole of the final round. Joint runners up Shane Lowry, Jim Furyk and Scott Piercy, who were three shots behind, were the only other players to beat par. When Angel Cabrera won in 2007, the course was fast and firm and the Argentine was the only contender to break 70 on the final day. His 69 was enough to finish five over for a one-shot win over Furyk and Tiger Woods. The 'Church Pews' bunker between the third and fourth holes is one of the most famous in golf This time we can anticipate a similar scenario to the one that yielded Johnson's first major nine years ago because the Pittsburgh area has suffered its wettest spring on record. The greens will still be very quick but perhaps more likely to hold approach shots than they were in 2007. But the five-inch deep rough will be damp, lush and brutal. And unlike most recent US Open venues it will not be 'graduated' with shorter grass nearer the immaculate fairways. It will be short grass and then long grass with nothing in between - classically uncompromising in the finest Oakmont tradition. The bunkers are not designed to be a bail out. The sand is unsympathetic and forms a genuine hazard, as do strategic ditches that criss-cross the layout. Between the third and fourth fairways lies the famous 'Church Pews' bunker, more than 100 yards long and up to 43 yards wide with a dozen turf islands (the pews) striped across to punish wayward tee shots. The par-three eighth could be stretched to more than 300 yards and is the longest 'short' hole in championship golf. "I haven't played it since they lengthened it to be a short par five," Jack Nicklaus, the winner at Oakmont in 1962, recently joked. Some hate the idea of par-three holes playing at such length. Nicklaus called it "crazy" but it is a good golf hole and par is just a number, albeit one that can mess with a player's head. And therein lies the ultimate aspect of US Open golf. Yes the United States Golf Association want to test every club in the bag but they also want to examine the 15th club - the one that resides between the ears. The winner will be the player who deals best with the inevitable setbacks inflicted by a course known as "the beast" but who also plays the best golf. That might seem an obvious statement, but accurate driving and unerring approach play can yield rich rewards. After a third-round 76, Johnny Miller fired a final-round 63 to win in 1973 with what is still regarded as one of the greatest rounds ever played. In 2016 Lowry shot a 65 to take the 54-hole lead, so low scores are possible. But over four long days, which may well suffer weekend weather interruption, there will be sufficient snakes to counterbalance the very few ladders afforded by this ultra-demanding course. In short, it is going to be very, very hard work; just as it should be at the US Open in this part of the world.
'Let the alibi artists stand aside' - why Oakmont is toughest US Open test
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Oakmont Country Club Set to Host US Open, Known for Its Extreme Challenges"
Bbc News
8.1
TruthLens AI Summary
The Oakmont Country Club, located in Pittsburgh, is renowned for being one of the toughest golf courses in the United States, and it will host the US Open for a record tenth time this week. The course is characterized by its challenging undulating greens, thick rough, and a staggering 175 bunkers that serve as severe hazards. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau noted that Oakmont not only tests a player’s skills but also their mental fortitude, echoing sentiments from past champions like Gene Sarazen and Phil Mickelson, who have described the course in harsh terms. Despite its challenging nature, players have achieved remarkable rounds here, with Dustin Johnson's 2016 victory being a notable example, where he secured a win with a score of four under par, highlighting the course's ability to yield low scores amidst its difficulty. The course conditions this year are expected to be influenced by the wettest spring on record for the Pittsburgh area, which may soften the greens but also create a thick and punishing rough, further complicating play for the competitors.
Oakmont was designed in the early 20th century by Henry Clay Fownes, who believed that poor shots should incur severe penalties. This philosophy is evident in the course's layout, which features strategic hazards and a lack of graduated grass around the fairways, presenting a stark contrast that demands precision from players. The famous 'Church Pews' bunker exemplifies this unforgiving nature, sprawling over 100 yards and lined with turf islands to punish errant shots. Additionally, the par-three eighth hole may stretch to over 300 yards, defying traditional expectations of par-three lengths. The US Open aims not only to challenge players with physical demands but also to test their psychological resilience, as the course is often referred to as 'the beast.' Players who can navigate the mental and physical challenges posed by Oakmont are expected to emerge as contenders, making this year’s US Open an event marked by intense competition and high stakes.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an in-depth look at the Oakmont Country Club, emphasizing its reputation as one of the most challenging golf courses in the United States. It incorporates opinions from various golf legends who describe the course's tough playing conditions, highlighting the mental and physical challenges players face. The tone conveys a sense of seriousness regarding the difficulties inherent in competing at Oakmont, especially during the prestigious US Open.
Purpose of the Article
The primary aim behind this coverage is to underscore the formidable nature of Oakmont as a golf venue. By quoting notable golfers and their experiences, the article seeks to build anticipation for the upcoming US Open and to solidify Oakmont's status in the golfing community. This can serve to attract more viewers and enthusiasts to the event, thereby increasing its overall significance.
Public Perception
The article shapes the perception that Oakmont is not just another golf course but a true test of a golfer's skills and mental fortitude. It emphasizes the high stakes of the tournament, likely resonating with golf fans who relish the challenge and drama associated with such grueling competition.
Potential Concealments
While the article focuses on the challenges of Oakmont, it may downplay the potential for player injuries or mental health impacts resulting from such pressures. This omission could be due to a desire to maintain the grandeur of the event and the reputation of the course, not wanting to detract from its historical significance.
Manipulative Nature of the Article
The manipulative aspect of this piece is relatively low. However, it does employ evocative language and quotes that may exaggerate the course's difficulty to create a more dramatic narrative, potentially swaying public opinion about the nature of golf as an elite and particularly challenging sport.
Reliability of the Information
The article appears to be credible, citing historical references and notable players who have competed at Oakmont. The insights from various champions lend weight to the claims made about the course's difficulty. However, it could benefit from presenting a broader range of perspectives, including those who might not find it as daunting.
Audience Appeal
This article is likely to resonate with avid golf fans, sports enthusiasts, and those connected to the golfing community. It targets individuals who appreciate the sport's challenges and the narratives surrounding high-stakes competitions.
Economic and Market Impact
In terms of economic implications, heightened interest in the US Open at Oakmont could lead to increased tourism, merchandise sales, and sponsorship opportunities. Stocks related to sportswear companies or golf equipment brands may see a positive impact as the event garners attention.
Global Context
While the article does not delve deeply into broader global issues, the emphasis on Oakmont's challenges parallels discussions about mental health in sports, particularly in high-pressure environments. The conversation about mental resilience in competitive sports is increasingly relevant today.
Use of AI in Writing
It's unlikely that AI played a significant role in crafting this article, as the style and narrative suggest a human touch. However, if AI were involved, it may have helped in aggregating quotes or data but would not have impacted the nuanced storytelling seen here.
In conclusion, the article effectively highlights Oakmont's reputation while maintaining a focus on the challenges faced by golfers. Its reliability is bolstered by credible sources, but it could present a more balanced view of potential downsides. Overall, the piece serves to bolster anticipation for the US Open, framing it as a defining moment in the golfing calendar.