Last month, Scottie Scheffler won the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, claiming his third major title in the process.
It was a dominant performance by the number one golfer in the world and he heads into the US Open looking to back that up.
Oakmont plays host to America’s national championship for a record-extending tenth time this year. With a roll call of winners including Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Johnnie Miller, Ernie Els and Dustin Johnson, Oakmont crowns only the greatest champions.
Bryson DeChambeau returns to defend the title he claimed in dramatic fashion last year. Needing a par to win, the American found a greenside bunker with his approach shot.
No problem. He blasted out to six feet and drained the par save, winning his second US Open title in the process.
The last time Oakmont held was 2016. A tournament that Johnson wont forget in a hurry. He finally ended his long wait for a major title, but it wasn’t without drama.
He was informed midway through his round that a one-stroke penalty may be given due to the player causing his ball to move on the fifth green. Johnson finished at five-under par for the tournament, and still won by three strokes despite the penalty.
The 2025 edition promises to be a stern test for even the best in the world. Don’t be surprised if the winning score is close to even, if not worse.
Course details: Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont is an institution of American golf. Famed for its difficulty, the 7,342 yard, par 70 Pennsylvania course is nicknamed “the beast” due to its unforgiven nature.
Defending champion DeChambeau has even quipped that the course makes you “question your sanity” and given the five-inch rough and glass-like greens, he isn’t joking.
There is no easy opener here at Oakmont. Indeed, the 488-yard first played as the toughest hole at the 2016 tournament.
The eighth hole, the second par-3 on the course, will play at just over 300 yards for the 2025 edition. In 2016, only 24 birdies were made across the entire championship. Things might get even worse this year.
The 12th is a par-five which measures 632 yards in distance while the 15th is another over 500 yards, although that is a par-four.
Players will look to make up lost ground on the 17th – the third par-four hole on the course to come in at under 400 yards – but then the 18th will smack them right in the face.
A notoriously difficult finishing hole, an accurate tee shot and approach is required to even think of a birdie chance.
Even then, the player will have to negotiate a massive, undulating green which yielded 22 double-bogeys in 2016.
All in all, a rather difficult test for the elite.
The field
In total, 156 players will tee it up at Oakmont this week. Scheffler starts as the undisputed favourite to win his first US Open title, especially after winning three times since the start of May.
Rory McIlroy will be aiming to win a sixth major title and a second US Open crown, 14 years after his first at Congressional in 2011.
11 former champions will take part, including Gary Woodland, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth.
Elsewhere, 13 LIV Golfers will play in the tournament. Not since DeChambeau’s win last year has a LIV Golfer claimed a major title.
It is likely to be Phil Mickelson’s final US Open. His major exemption runs out after this year and the six-time runner-up doesn’t appear to be keen on trying to qualify for the only major that has eluded him.
US Open 2025: Prize fund and how to watch
The total prize purse for the 2025 edition has yet to be announced. Last year, $21.5 million was on offer, a new record.
DeChambeau took home a cheque for $4.3m after his victory at Pinehurst No.2 while winning 750 FedEx Cup points also.
Viewers in America will be able to catch all of the action on the Golf Channel.
In the United Kingdom, all four days of the tournament will be broadcast on Sky Sports Golf.
US Open 2025 winner
Scottie Scheffler 11/4
Bryson DeChambeau 8/1
Rory McIlroy 8/1
Jon Rahm 12/1
Xander Schauffele 20/1
Collin Morikawa 22/1
Ludvg Aberg 22/1
Justin Thomas 28/1
Joaquin Niemann 30/1
Patrick Cantlay 33/1
Odds provided by Betway and correct at the time of writing.
