What began with hope for some of golf's biggest stars rapidly turned into a horror show at the 2025 U.S. Open, as Oakmont Country Club once again lived up to its reputation as the sport's ultimate crucible. Rory McIlroy's back-nine collapse, Scottie Scheffler's erratic round, and JJ Spaun's flawless surprise lead reshaped expectations from the very first day.
Only ten players broke par on a course known for punishing even the slightest misstep. For players like McIlroy and Scheffler, Oakmont was not just difficult, but humiliating. Meanwhile, Spaun's unlikely rise highlighted how precision and nerve could outshine pedigree on this brutal layout.
