June 07, 2016: The US Open at Oakmont Country Club is just ten days away. And you can be certain that golfers are already preparing for a tough grind at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. The USGA takes great pride in ensuring that US Open venues challenge golfers and Oakmont epitomizes the test. Angel Cabrera won the US Open in 2007 with an overall score of 5-over 285, the last time it was hosted by the club.
Jack Nicklaus defeated Arnold Palmer in 1962 in an iconic edition at Oakmont. The Big Bear finished tied at one under 283 with the legendary Palmer before outdueling him in a memorable playoff. No player has managed better than five under at Oakmont.
The last player to win the US Open at Oakmont Country Club with a five under score was Ernie Els in 1994. Traditionally, scores have been closer to even than farther, except in 2011 when Rory McIlroy brutalized the Blue Course at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda. He shot 16-under 268 for a memorable eight shot victory over Jason Day.
McIlroy also became the youngest modern winner of the tournament when he won in 2011 as a 22 year old up and coming star. Interestingly, no golfer has defended the US Open title since Curtis Strange did so in 1989.
Indian interest is centered on Anirban Lahiri. The US Open is the only major where the Indian hasn’t made the cut, so he will be looking to put that right at Oakmont. Anirban has played at the course, collecting valuable information. That and his recent top 10 finish at the Colonial should give the Indian golfer enough confidence to do well at the second major of the season.
So if history does prevail again and Jordan Spieth fails to defend the title he won at Chambers Bay last year, who might emerge triumphant?
McIlroy did seem to be getting his groove again based on a solid performance last week at the Memorial Tournament. Jason Day has been hot property, getting on a real run immediately after the Masters.
Dustin Johnson was fluent again at the Memorial, but does he have the discipline needed to tame the narrow course at Oakmont?
Spieth is surely hurt and bruising after his final round meltdown at the Masters. He might be hungry and eager to rewrite history when the field reaches Oakmont. Driving accuracy gets a nice premium at Oakmont, so Bubba Watson will also invite decent odds.
We are in for a brilliant chase as soon as the first tee is taken at the Oakmont Country Club on June 16. Stay tuned.
