The U.S. Open has arrived, marking the third major championship of 2025. Overall, there are 156 players teeing it up at Oakmont Country Club this week. This is the 125th Open and Oakmont’s 10th time hosting America’s National Championship. Ahead of this week’s massive tournament, we take a look at 10 things to follow at the 2025 US Open.
1. TOUGH course conditions
The United States Golf Association (USGA) is ensuring the challenge is present this week to the field. The most notable obstacle is the rough. Hitting the fairway is most important this week, with the rough being as high as six inches. To put that in perspective, if a player hits in the rough, they will have to hit it out into the fairway rather than going after the green.
Also read: List of U.S. Open winners: Every champion from 1895 to the present
2. Hole No. 8
In addition to the rough being a challenge for the players, so will the length of some of the holes, most notably, the par-3 8th hole. This week, the second-to-last hole of the front nine is marked at 289 yards. However, this hole could reach 300 yards, depending on where the tee boxes are set. Generally, most PGA Tour holes that are of this length are usually drivable par-4s. However, not this week as players are even thinking about using a driver to have any sort of success on this hole.
3. Can Bryson DeChambeau repeat?
Bryson DeChambeau enters as the reigning US Open champion following his win last year at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. DeChambeau posted five straight top 10 finishes on the LIV Golf schedule heading into this week. Furthermore, DeChambeau won the LIV Golf event in Korea in early May. He leads the LIV Golf circuit in driving distance, which will be crucial this week if he wants to retain the U.S. Open trophy.
Related: Watch: Bryson DeChambeau Spotted Casually Hitting Golf Balls on the White House Lawn
4. Scottie Scheffler’s chances this week
Last year, Scottie Scheffler entered the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 unprepared, coming off the aftermath of the police incident he was involved in at the PGA Championship. As well as the birth of his first child. Scheffler recorded his worst finish of the season at the 2024 Open. However, the reigning PGA Championship winner is ready this week.
In the three previous US Opens at Oakmont, the three World No. 1 players all finished inside the top 10. Greg Norman finished T6 in 1994, Tiger Woods was the runner-up in 2007, and Jason Day finished T8 in 2016. As a result, that gives Scheffler some confidence this week.
Also read: World Golf Rankings: Scottie Scheffler strengthens grip on No. 1 after PGA Championship victory
5. Rory McIlroy’s US Open vengeance
Last year, Rory McIlroy choked his chances at winning a U.S. Open, missing two putts inside of five feet on the back nine on Sunday. As a result, the built-up anger led to McIlroy storming out of Pinehurst No. 2 without talking to the media, needing a break. He is also going back to his Taylormade driver that helped in win in April at the Masters.
Related: The Masters 2025: Winners and Losers as Rory McIlroy achieves the Grand Slam
6. Who’s hot heading into the U.S. Open
Ben Griffin is playing well as of late. He has three straight top 10s, which include a win at the Charles Schwab Challenge, a runner-up at the Memorial, and a T8 at the PGA Championship. Keegan Bradley finished his last two starts inside the top 10 at the PGA Championship and the Memorial. In addition, Jon Rahm has finished each of the first eight LIV Golf events this year inside the top 10.
Also read: 5 Longest Golf Drives of all time, including historic shots from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
7. Phil Mickelson’s chance at a grand slam
In each of the last two majors, two players had the chance to earn the career grand slam. Rory McIlroy completed the grand slam at the Masters in April, while Jordan Spieth did not last month at the PGA Championship. As a result, Phil Mickelson can accomplish that and become the seventh member to complete the career grand slam.
In 33 previous Open starts, Mickelson has six runner-up finishes and his first since 2013 at Merion. In his three previous US Opens at Oakmont, Mickelson tied for 47th in 1994 before a couple of missed cuts in 2007 and 2016.
Related: Phil Mickelson Sets the Internet on Fire With ‘Genius’ Over the Head Chip Shot
8. A Dentist is competing at the U.S. Open
Yes, you read that correctly. A dentist is teeing it up at this week’s U.S. Open. Matt Vogt went to dental school at Indiana University. However, what makes this story more special is that Vogt returns to Oakmont, where he caddied for six years. Vogt, who played college golf at Butler University, went through qualification to earn a spot this week.
Vogt tied for second in local qualifying with a 69 to move on to final qualifying. He then shot 68-68 for a score of 8-under par in final qualifying at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington, to compete in America’s National Championship.
9. Featured Groups
Let’s take a look at the featured groupings for this year’s U.S. Open on Thursday and Friday. Furthermore, you can exclusively watch these groups at usopen.com or on the USGA App.
(All times ET)
- Thu. 7:18 a.m. | Fri. 1:03 p.m.: Ludvig Aberg, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama
- Thu. 7:29 a.m. | Fri. 1:14 p.m.: Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Josele Ballester
- Thu. 7:40 a.m. | Fri. 1:25 p.m.: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose
- Thu. 1:03 p.m. | Fri. 7:18 a.m.: Min Woo Lee, Justin Thomas, Brook Koepka
- Thu. 1:14 p.m. | Fri. 7:29 a.m.: Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth
- Thu. 1:25 p.m. | Fri. 7:40 a.m.: Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
10. How to watch the 2025 U.S. Open
Let’s also take a look at the broadcast schedule for all four days of competition at the 125th U.S. Open.
- Thursday: 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (USA); 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Peacock)
- Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Peacock); 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (NBC)
- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (USA); 12:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m (NBC)
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (USA); 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (NBC)
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