U.S. Golf Open 2025

“This is probably the hardest golf course that we’ll play, maybe ever, and that’s pretty much all it is. This is It’s just a different type of test.” Scottie Scheffler on Oakmont, 2025 U.S. Open.

Micheal Campbell 2005 Champion

Kiwi Micheal Campbell was the U.S. Open Champion in 2005, at the Pinehurst Resort Course No.2. New Zealander Campbell of Maori descent made the country proud. There was local, national, and international recognition for his wonderful achievement. An anecdote allegedly told by Campbell after the event; Campbell was in the restroom freshening up when the great Tiger Woods walked in. Not a word was said between the two, no acknowledgement, no friendly nod, just silence. The legend, Tiger Woods, was placed second to Campbell on that wonderful day. A reminder of the intense competitive nature of Tiger at his peak; Tiger himself and everyone else, expected a Tiger win when the tournament came down to the wire. The edge on that memorable day went the way of the kiwi, Michael Campbell.

Some Stats

The last five winners of the U.S. Open golf tournament and their nationalities:

1. 2024: Bryson DeChambeau (USA)

2. 2023: Wyndham Clark (USA)

3. 2022: Matt Fitzpatrick (England)

4. 2021: Jon Rahm (Spain)

5. 2020: Bryson DeChambeau (USA)

Oakmont Country Club has hosted the U.S. Open nine times, more than any other course in history. The 2025 U.S. Open, scheduled for June 12-15, will be Oakmont's record-setting 10th time hosting the tournament.

The previous U.S. Opens at Oakmont were held in:

- 1927 (won by Tommy Armour)

- 1935 (won by Sam Parks Jr.)

- 1953 (won by Ben Hogan)

- 1962 (won by Jack Nicklaus)

- 1973 (won by Johnny Miller)

- 1983 (won by Larry Nelson)

- 1994 (won by Ernie Els)

- 2007 (won by Ángel Cabrera)

- 2016 (won by Dustin Johnson)

Designed by Henry C. Fownes in 1903, Oakmont has hosted at least one U.S. Open every decade since the 1950s, except for the 1940s due to World War II. The club has a long-term partnership with the USGA and is already scheduled to host future U.S. Opens in 2033, 2042, and 2049.

The Difficult Oakmont Course

Oakmont Country Club, located in Pennsylvania USA, is widely regarded as one of the toughest golf courses in the world. It was built with a philosophy that a poor shot should be penalized by remaining lost. The course is known for its lightning-fast greens, narrow fairways surrounded by deep and thick, rough. There are 175 punishing, strategically placed bunkers, to penalize errant shots. The course is a grueling examination for the very best professional golfers.

A Pro-Golfers Challenge

Professional Golfers describe Oakmont as a course that challenges not just their game, but their sanity as well. This is the reason Oakmont has hosted the U.S. Open so many times, where legends like Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Ernie Els have all won there. The course’s difficulty is not just about its physical layout—it’s also about the mental battle of staying composed under relentless pressure.

Who can win it?

Scottie Scheffler at +270; Bryson DeChambeau at +650, Rory McIlroy at +1200, Jon Rahm also at +1200, Xander Schauffele at +2200, Juaquin Niemann at +3000, Sepp Straka at +4500, Ryan Fox at +12000.

Picking a winner for this tournament or any golf tournament is incredibly difficult. The nature of golf is such that one or more of many variables; weather, how the wind blows, a lucky or unlucky bounce, your emotional and mental wellbeing on the day, missing or damaged equipment, your good form or lack of it, are what can affect your ability to win.

Scottie Scheffler is the number one ranked player in the world and the clear favorite to win the U.S. Open. His form is at the very highest level and is often compared to the mighty Tiger Woods in terms of the ability to win regularly. However, this is golf, anyone in the field can win the U.S. Open, just ask Micheal Campbell and another kiwi, Ryan Fox.