OAKMONT, Pa. — Players began checking in this weekend at Oakmont Country Club with umbrellas and expectations for the 125th U.S. Open to live up to its reputation as golf’s toughest test.
Jordan Spieth was among the early arrivals to the course outside of Pittsburgh, playing the front nine Saturday and 11 holes Sunday in a light but steady rain. Turns out the United States Golf Association had a policy that no one could start on No. 10. Spieth went down the first hole, back up the ninth, then finally headed to No. 10.
It was long. And it was wet. The area got pounded with rain Friday, and heavy rain was expected again Sunday afternoon. As if Oakmont wasn’t already tough enough.
“This course is built to be like this,” said Spieth, whose three major championships include the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay near Seattle. “So they’re not doing a whole lot different to the golf course. You hit a good shot, you get rewarded for it here. And if you don’t, you’re in big trouble. It’s pure golf, no funny business about it.”
Sunday also was when the final field was set, barring any withdrawals. Ryan Fox won the Canadian Open and was among three players — Bud Cauley and Cameron Young were the others — who moved into the top 60 in the latest Official World Golf Ranking to earn a spot.