The golf world turns its attention to Pennsylvania as Oakmont Country Club prepares to host the 125th U.S. Open Championship from June 12-15. This marks the historic venue’s record tenth time hosting America’s most demanding golf tournament, where defending champion Bryson DeChambeau will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner since Brooks Koepka in 2018.
The 2025 championship holds special significance for tournament partner Rolex, celebrating 45 years as official timekeeper of the event. Oakmont’s treacherous layout, featuring the legendary “Church Pews” bunker between holes 3 and 4, promises to test the world’s best golfers as it did in 1962 when a 22-year-old Jack Nicklaus claimed his first major victory here.
DeChambeau, fresh off his dramatic 2024 victory at Pinehurst No. 2, enters with confidence: “Oakmont brings out the best in champions,” the two-time winner stated. “I’ve been preparing specifically for these conditions since January.” The scientist-turned-golfer seeks to join Nicklaus as the only players to win multiple U.S. Opens at Oakmont.
The field includes past champions Jordan Spieth (2015), Jon Rahm (2021), and Matt Fitzpatrick (2022), along with rising stars looking to claim their first major. Tournament officials expect record crowds, with hospitality packages selling out months in advance.
This year’s qualification process saw over 9,000 professionals and amateurs compete for just 156 spots through local and sectional qualifying. The USGA has prepared Oakmont’s notoriously fast greens to run at tournament-record speeds, ensuring the championship maintains its reputation as golf’s toughest test.
As the golf world counts down to the first round, all eyes will be on whether DeChambeau can repeat his 2024 heroics or if Oakmont will crown a new champion to join its storied list of winners.
