Rory McIlroy readies for US Open at Oakmont

Prior to the 2016 U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy describes his feelings leading into the week. The course is challenging and instilling fear in all. Putting surfaces define Oakmont, which may have the fastest greens in the world.

.@McIlroyRory's last practice shot before it all gets underway. ??#USOpenhttps://t.co/U0dAPitdz0

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 15, 2016

The course – where the U.S. Open is taking place now only after 2007 – holds the key to how players will stack up on the leaderboard. There are many characteristics that make Oakmont such a legendarily tough course that would attract the masochistic U.S. Open for a record ninth time.