Oakmont Country Club proved to be a formidable opponent for the world’s best golfers at the U.S. Open this year. With its treacherous bunkers, lightning-fast greens, and thick rough, the course lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest in the country. Many players struggled to navigate the challenging layout, but some rose to the occasion and managed to sink their teeth into the competition. However, as the third major of the year comes to a close, there are a few notable names who will be heading home earlier than expected.
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament was the early exit of defending champion, Dustin Johnson. After a dominant performance at last year’s U.S. Open, Johnson was expected to be a top contender at Oakmont. However, the course proved to be too much for him this time around. Despite his powerful drives, Johnson struggled with his short game and ultimately missed the cut by three strokes. It was a disappointing result for the world number one, but he remains determined to bounce back and defend his title next year.
Another big name who failed to make it to the weekend was Rory McIlroy. The four-time major champion had high hopes coming into the U.S. Open, but his game was not up to par at Oakmont. McIlroy struggled with his accuracy off the tee and was unable to find his rhythm on the greens. He missed the cut by a single stroke, marking the first time he has missed the cut at a major since the 2013 Open Championship. Despite the setback, McIlroy remains positive and is already looking ahead to the next major.
Phil Mickelson, a fan favorite and six-time U.S. Open runner-up, also failed to make it to the weekend. Mickelson’s quest for the elusive U.S. Open title will have to wait another year as he missed the cut by four strokes. The 46-year-old veteran struggled with the demanding course and was unable to find his usual magic around the greens. However, Mickelson remains optimistic and is determined to continue his pursuit of the career grand slam.
Another notable player who will be heading home early is Jordan Spieth. The 2015 U.S. Open champion had a rough start to the tournament, shooting a 75 in the first round. Despite a valiant effort in the second round, Spieth fell just short of making the cut by one stroke. It was a disappointing result for the young star, but he remains focused on the rest of the season and is determined to bounce back at the upcoming majors.
While these big names may have fallen short at Oakmont, there were also some surprising early exits from the U.S. Open. World number three, Jason Day, struggled with his putting and missed the cut by two strokes. Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, also failed to make it to the weekend after struggling with the tough conditions at Oakmont. These early exits serve as a reminder that even the best players in the world are not immune to the challenges of a major championship.
As the U.S. Open heads into the weekend, the remaining players will continue to battle it out for the coveted title. The leaderboard is filled with both familiar names and rising stars, all vying for their chance to hoist the trophy on Sunday. Oakmont may have sunk its teeth into most of the field, but the remaining players have proven that they have what it takes to conquer this challenging course.
In the end, the U.S. Open is a test of skill, determination, and mental fortitude. While some of the biggest names in golf may be heading home early, their early exits serve as a reminder that anything can happen in a major championship. As the tournament continues, we can expect to see more drama, excitement, and surprises as the players battle it out for the ultimate prize. So let’s sit back, enjoy the show, and see who will emerge victorious at Oakmont.
