🏌️ US Open 2025: Player Preparations, Comebacks, and Contenders at Oakmont
As the US Open Golf 2025 heads to iconic Oakmont Country Club, the best in the world face one of golf’s toughest tests. Expect precision and resilience: penal rough, lightning-fast greens, and narrow landing spots await. Here’s how the field is preparing for US Open 2025.
⛳ Rory McIlroy – Fine‑Tuning His Tee Game
After missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open, Rory admitted his driving setup is still a concern. He tested a shorter TaylorMade Qi35 driver but couldn’t gain control, hitting only 42% of fairways. Rory said: “Still searching for the missing piece off the tee… Obviously going to Oakmont next week, what you need to do more than anything is hit fairways.” (source)
🔝 Scottie Scheffler – The Undisputed World No. 1
Scottie Scheffler leads the PGA Tour this year with dominant ball-striking and unparalleled consistency. He rested during the Canadian Open and is laser-focused on Oakmont. If he maintains his season-long form—especially in the short game—he’s the man to beat in US Open 2025.
🧠 Justin Thomas – Soul Searching for Consistency
After breaking his win drought at the RBC Heritage earlier this year, Justin Thomas has struggled to maintain momentum. He missed the cut at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and followed it with rounds of 80 and 69 to finish T31 at the Memorial Tournament (+5). Since his victory, he has recorded only one top‑25 finish in his last four PGA Tour starts. Oakmont’s brutal setup could either snap his slump or expose deeper issues.
🏆 Xander Schauffele – Major Stalwart & Cut Machine
Now a two-time major winner in 2024, Xander Schauffele holds an astonishing 65-tournament cut streak, unbroken since the 2022 Masters. His calm under pressure and major championship pedigree make him a serious threat at Oakmont. However, his form hasn’t been quite the same since returning from a rib injury earlier this year, raising questions about whether he’s at full strength heading into the week.
🟣 US Open 2025 and LIV Preparation Focus and Players form
Jon Rahm
Rahm is coming in hot from LIV Golf, where he’s been praised for “playing some really solid golf.” He remains a favorite to contend. (source)
Bryson DeChambeau
With massive power and past U.S. Open success, DeChambeau’s unique style may work if he finds accuracy on Oakmont’s narrow fairways.
Joaquin Niemann
Riding strong LIV form, Niemann is a high-upside pick. Aggressive play could vault him up the leaderboard if conditions favor ball strikers.
Cameron Smith
While off-the-tee struggles persist, Cameron Smith’s short game is built for fast greens like Oakmont’s. He has one of the most reliable putting strokes in the game, making him especially dangerous if his irons start to cooperate. If he finds fairways, Smith could quietly climb the leaderboard heading into the weekend.
Brooks Koepka & Dustin Johnson
Both past U.S. Open champions, their major experience can’t be overlooked—especially at a venue like Oakmont.
Brooks Koepka, a two-time U.S. Open winner (2017, 2018), thrives on tough layouts and major championship pressure. His power game alone makes him a threat, but what truly sets him apart is his ability to grind out pars. When scoring is tough, Koepka’s calm demeanor and clutch putting keep him in contention, and Oakmont fits that mold perfectly.
Dustin Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champion, hasn’t been as sharp in majors recently, but his pedigree and experience remain undeniable. He’s been playing steady golf on LIV, but dropped shots—especially big numbers like doubles or worse—have derailed otherwise solid rounds. To contend at Oakmont, DJ will need to keep the mistakes off the card and take advantage of the limited birdie chances the course offers.
📢 LIV Confidence – Leishman Responds to Critics
Marc Leishman responded to criticism of LIV players’ competitiveness in majors: “We’re playing against great fields every single week on tough golf courses. Yes, it’s 54 holes, but it puts a bit of pressure on that first round to get off to a good start because they are a little bit more of a sprint.” (source)
🟣 US Open Dark Horses
Sam Burns – The Quiet Potent Mix
Sam Burns might not be on every expert’s radar, but recent form shows he could make a splash at US Open 2025. He has four top‑25 finishes in his last five starts, including the PGA Championship, with his worst being T30 at the Truist Championship. Burns leads the PGA Tour in putting this year (source) and averages over 300 yards off the tee. His biggest challenge will be increasing his driving accuracy—currently ranked 91st at 58.97%—to thrive on Oakmont’s tight fairways.
Ben Griffin – The Cinderella Story
Ben Griffin is one of the most compelling stories in the field. After leaving golf in 2020 to work in finance, he returned to earn his PGA Tour card and is now ranked inside the world top 20. He has won twice this year, most recently at Charles Schwab Challenge. A runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler at the memorial has further boosted his confidence heading into his US Open debut at Oakmont. With strong iron play and grit under pressure, Griffin could shock the field if he holds up over the weekend.
Lucas Glover – The Veteran Resurging
Lucas Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, is quietly building momentum once again. After a rough stretch in his career, he’s rediscovered form thanks to a long putter and reliable ball-striking. What gives him a real edge at Oakmont is his driving accuracy—Glover currently ranks 7th on the PGA Tour, hitting 68.87% of fairways. On a layout where thick rough and narrow landing zones punish errant drives, Glover’s ability to keep it in the short grass could prove crucial. If he putts well, he could quietly contend again.
Adam Scott – Veteran Grit
At 44, Scott is still grinding. He hasn’t missed a major in 90+ attempts and remains one of the smoothest ball-strikers on Tour. Though results in 2025 have been modest (mostly mid-field finishes), his experience and ability to handle demanding courses could pay off if conditions get brutal.
Tiger Woods – Absent, But Always Looming
Though not in the field, Tiger Woods remains a shadow over every major. After undergoing another surgery earlier this year, he officially withdrew from the 2025 U.S. Open. Speculation continues about his future, but one thing is certain—Oakmont will miss the electricity he brings.
Off the course, Tiger’s new apparel brand, Sun Day Red, continues to grow. The brand launched a fresh collection ahead of the US Open, including limited-edition polos, layering pieces, and accessories inspired by major championship energy. While Tiger won’t be teeing it up at Oakmont, his influence is still felt—both in legacy and in style.
⛳ Course Setup – Oakmont’s Unforgiving Test
Oakmont promises trouble at every turn—narrow landing zones, punishing rough, and green speeds that mimic glass. Players who prepare smart and manage their emotions will have the edge.
🏁 What to Watch at US Open Golf 2025
- Can Rory find control with his driver?
- Will Scottie maintain dominance?
- Will Xander’s cut streak reach 66?
- How will LIV players like Rahm and Bryson perform?
- Are veterans like DJ and Koepka still in the mix?
📺 US Open 2025 Coverage
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