The last thing Oakmont Country Club needs is another drop of rain, and believe me, my shoes agree. As the Publisher of Golfer’s Lifestyle Magazine, when the U.S. Open comes to town, it’s more than an assignment, it’s a sacred tradition. Monday’s opening day of practice rounds welcomed players and fans alike with thick humidity and spongy fairways, courtesy of another generous round of pounding rain.
Around 10:30 a.m., Scottie Scheffler teed off on the back nine. Watching him miss into the deep rough on 12 and splash into the bunker on the short par-3 13th reminded everyone exactly why Oakmont is called The Monster. Still, Scottie was all smiles. That’s the magic of a practice round: you can miss, mutter, and laugh your way through it all with your caddie.
Even with puddles underfoot, Oakmont buzzed with an electricity you won’t find anywhere else. The USGA and the Oakmont crew have crafted a tournament atmosphere so elite, so immaculately groomed, even the new water hazards, courtesy of relentless rain, looked like they belonged. The only ones not having it? The little kids trailing behind their parents, shoes soaked, dodging mud puddles like they were part of the layout. The rest of us embraced it. Because this is Oakmont. This is the U.S. Open. And if it takes a little water, sweat, and grass clippings to be part of it, we’re all in.
Oh, and in case you were wondering if the course was pulling any punches, take a look at the yardage marker on Hole No. 8.
Yes sir! That’s a par 3, and rumor has it the USGA might stretch it to 301 yards for one of the four tournament days. If the wind kicks up, will some players need a driver? One thing’s for sure: many will need a prayer.
Now, let’s talk about the mowing. I counted at least a twenty volunteers moving across the rough like a synchronized battalion, each with a walk-behind mower clipped to the perfect blade height, Oakmont’s version of military precision. These weren’t just grounds crew members. They were turf artists. With 190 volunteers from 17 countries, I’d wager they’re prouder of their mower lines than their passport stamps. Watching them stripe the saturated rough felt almost meditative. If Augusta has its azaleas, Oakmont has its sacred mow lines.
The players, 156 strong from 26 countries, represent golf’s global best and its future. From teenage phenoms like Nick Dunlap (already a dual U.S. Junior and Amateur champ, a Tiger-esque feat) to legends like Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott, the 2025 field is loaded. Twelve players are 21 or younger. Thirteen are 40 or older. The average age? A smooth 30.66 and that’s a sweet spot between youthful swagger and seasoned grit.
And, of course, there’s family flair. Brothers Carlos and Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico will tee it up this week. Meanwhile, Australia’s dynamic duo, Min Woo and Minjee Lee, are back at it again, making history for a fourth straight year. They remain the only siblings to win USGA Junior titles. Minjee, 29, just finished T-22 at Erin Hills in the U.S. Women’s Open, her 13th appearance in the championship. She owns two USGA titles and 10 LPGA wins. Her younger brother, Min Woo, 26, captured the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur and returns for his fifth U.S. Open. His best finish? T-5 at LACC in 2023. A proven winner on both the PGA and DP World Tours, he brings flair, firepower, and pedigree.
But perhaps no storyline tugs at the local heartstrings like Matt Vogt. A former Oakmont caddie turned Indianapolis dentist, Vogt is now teeing it up as a competitor on the very turf where he once read putts and raked traps. His journey from Seneca Valley High School to oral surgery and back to Oakmont is the kind of full-circle moment this championship loves.
As the sun finally broke through in the afternoon, drying slick spots and turning up the heat, it was clear: this U.S. Open has the potential to be something special. With defending champ Bryson DeChambeau grouped with Xander Schauffele, and college star Jose Luis Ballester turning pro this week, the storylines are already writing themselves.
Now, if you’re planning to stay hydrated or refuel with a snack, a heads-up: the drink and snack prices here might remind you this is a major championship in more ways than one. Let’s just say, your wallet might feel the pressure almost as much as the players do when they’re facing those punishing greens. But hey, if you’re going to spend on something, make it the experience, and maybe just bring a bit of extra cash for a cold one or a snack that’s as carefully curated as the course itself.
Will the kids run wild? Will a legend rise again? Will anyone break par? Will your favorite player even make the cut?
Whatever happens, Western PA is ready. Just pack your sunscreen, wear old shoes, and don’t blink because Oakmont moves fast and takes no prisoners.
