OAKMONT, Pa. — Here’s an overview of Oakmont Country Club, which will host the 125th U.S. Open from June 12-15:
No. 1, 488 yards, par 4
The first hole greets players with one of the most challenging starts in championship golf. Flanked by bunkers, the narrow fairway leads to a green that slopes away from the fairway and is somewhat obscured. The ideal approach is to land short to let the slope help the ball onto the green.
- Stroke average in 2016: 4.453. Rank in difficulty: 1
No. 2, 346 yards, par 4
Though short, this hole demands precision, with five bunkers on the right and a ditch on the left. The green slopes sharply from back to front and is surrounded by bunkers. The USGA might adjust the tee for one round to lure players into trying for the green.
- Stroke average in 2016: 4.126. Rank in difficulty: 13
No. 3, 462 yards, par 4
This hole features the well-known Church Pew bunkers on the left and deep bunkers to the right. The second shot, played uphill, approaches a green that slopes gently away, making distance control critical. Shots landing short may roll back, whereas overshooting can lead to trouble beyond the green.
- Stroke average in 2016: 4.320. Rank in difficulty: T-6
No. 4, 611 yards, par 5
The Church Pew bunkers reappear on the left side as this par 5 runs parallel to hole 3, with additional deep bunkers on the right. A strong drive lays the groundwork for an aggressive approach to the green in two, but laying up requires skillful placement to avoid the right-side bunkers.
- Stroke average in 2016: 4.971. Rank in difficulty: 17
No. 5, 408 yards, par 4
This short but tricky par 4 features a narrowing fairway about 160 yards from the green, which sits below the fairway. This hole is memorable as it became the site of Dustin Johnson’s controversial two-shot penalty after his ball moved on the green.
- Stroke average in 2016: 4.131. Rank in difficulty: 12
No. 6, 200 yards, par 3
The first par 3 presents players with a slight downhill shot to a narrow green sloping toward the tee. The right-side bunker is the most perilous miss.
- Stroke average in 2016: 3.142. Rank in difficulty: 11
No. 7, 485 yards, par 4
Adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, this hole’s fairway is bordered by deep bunkers, with an approach to a green that slopes toward the players. Keeping the ball below the hole is essential, as missing to the left makes par recovery challenging. This green was the toughest to hit among par 4s in 2016.
- Stroke average in 2016: 4.327. Rank in difficulty: 5
